Champions Trophy: La Rochelle continues, while Montpellier, Lyon, Castres and Clermont fall

New Zealand – Scrum Taweera half Keir Barlow (C) during the European Champions Cup match against Ulster County on December 17, 2022 in Dublin Paul Faith

La Rochelle, Imperial in the first period before collapsing during the second, achieved a second successive victory over Ulster (36-29), Saturday during the second day of the Champions Cup, which saw the other four French teams, Montpellier and Lyon. Clermont and Custer, Val.

. La Rochelle’s mood is uneven

Stade Rochelais, the European champions, showed on Saturday night at Aviva Stadium in Dublin – not in Ulster where the ground is frozen – that it can sometimes be in an eccentric mood, during their victory over the Irish Province (36-29).

Impressive against Northampton (46-12) for their entry into the competition, the Maritimes had a much less successful second spell than their first during which the Ulstermen scored no less than four tries, taking the offensive and defensive bonuses.

Caravelle can thank Antoine Hastoy, with 26 points alone, whose talent allowed his team to go into the first half with a very comfortable lead (29-0).

. Leon and Caster are already under pressure

Custers, who lost on the first day at home to Exeter, lost again, this time at Edinburgh (31-20), jeopardizing their chances of qualifying for the rest of the competition.

With zero points two days later, the Tarn Club will have those same Scots on January 15 without having too many illusions.

The same scenario for Lyon, who achieved a second defeat in a row, against Gerland against Saracens (28-20), after failing in South Africa on the first day against the Bulls.

With two bonus points, offensive and defensive, obtained in South Africa, LOU is temporarily in ninth place, which seems fair to hope for future qualification.

. Claremont has to pull itself together

A victory over the Stormers in Michelin last weekend, and a defeat against Leicester on Saturday at Welford Road (23-16): Clermont has nothing to be ashamed of at the moment with its run in the Champions Cup, especially since the match ended against it. The reigning champion of England promises revenge for this match, during the third day in the Auvergne.

Even if we have to be wary of the Steve Borthwick-coached club, perhaps for a very long time if the former second line decides to say ‘yes’ to Rose’s XV after ousting Eddie Jones, who showed good attacking qualities.

. Montpellier was surprised by the Osprey

In the evening, Montpellier, after winning the reward in London Irish (32-27), was surprised (21-10) at GGL Stadium by an affordable opponent, Ospreys.

Undisciplined, the French champions failed to force their game against the Welshman, who signed three attempts: he will have to recover in Wales the next day if he is to retain a chance of qualification.

This second day continues on Sunday with Sale by Toulouse receiving in Pool B (2:00pm) and Racing 92’s trip to London, in Harlequins (6:30pm), on behalf of Pool A.