Saracens have the driving maul from the line-out inside the La Rochelle 22 but they concede another penalty.

There was some confusion over the referee's instructions but Nick Tompkins is penalised for holding on.

A let-off for the hosts.

Wallop.

Levani Botia has been dominant at the breakdown but he has just greeted Owen Farrell with one of the biggest hits of the game.

Farrell, to his credit, dusts himself off and returns to his feet but that was some shot.

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The home fans are clearly pleased with what they are watching.

La Rochelle are on top and Saracens have barely laid a glove.

The noise around the stadium is deafening.

Levani Botia drags Jackson Wray to the ground, releases the Saracens man and then wins the turnover in the ruck.

Absolutely unplayable.

Mako Vunipola tries to play the ball on the ground and that was an easy decision for the referee.

La Rochelle kick the penalty to touch and into the Sarries 22.

Needless by the prop.

Antoine Hastoy gets us back up and running...

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If Saracens are to get back in this game, they will have to do it without ball-carrying talisman Billy Vunipola.

The number eight was taken off on a stretcher in the first half. Jackson Wray has done well as a replacement so far and Sarries will need him to continue filling the void.

La Rochelle knock on at the line-out and Owen Farrell decides that will be that by kicking the ball into touch.

The champions are well worthy of their lead and Saracens have lots of work to do.

All to play for in the second half.

Into the final minute of the half and La Rochelle kick a penalty into touch.

They will have one last crack at Saracens before we head to the sheds.

Ivan van Zyl gathers the loose ball and makes a slight break but he is isolated from his teammates and La Rochelle steal the ball at the breakdown.

Saracens have shown glimpses but they have lacked that cutting edge so far.

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Max Malins makes a break in midfield and offloads to Owen Farrell.

The fly-half gets it away to Maro Itoje and the lock knocks on, but has the fly-half been hit before he received the ball?

It's reviewed by the TMO and it's decided that he wasn't. On we go...

Levani Botia has put on a clinic in the breakdown.

He's in so quickly to pressure the ball again and Saracens are forced to concede another penalty.

He wins the acclaim of his team-mates with plenty of loud cheers and head-patting.

Class.

Owen Farrell pops a penalty into touch and Saracens will have the attacking platform.

Can they launch something from this?

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La Rochelle regain a six-point lead as Antoine Hastoy makes another kick over the posts.

That's three from four for the fly-half this afternoon.

Jackson Wray is straight into the thick of things but La Rochelle haul him to the ground and quickly dive over the ball.

They have been utterly dominant in the breakdown and Antoine Hastoy will have another shot at goal.

Billy Vunipola's game is done.

The number eight is being carried off the field on a stretcher and he is clapped off by the entire stadium.

Jackson Wray is on in his place.

Saracens have their first points.

Owen Farrell bangs the ball over from straight in front and the lead is cut to three points.

Billy Vunipola carries as hard as ever but has that collision with Will Skelton cost the Saracens number eight.

The visitors have the penalty but Vunipola remains on the turf as he receives attention by the medical team.

After that blistering start, La Rochelle decide to slow things up.

They win the free-kick in the scrum and opt for another one. It happens again and the referee speaks to the Saracens front row.

A couple of minutes eaten up but the hosts won't care about that.