Summary

  • La Rochelle beat Premiership leaders Bath in torrential rain as the European Champions Cup got under way at the Rec

  • La Rochelle, champions in 2022 and 2023, score three tries to lead 21-6 at half-time

  • Bath fight back to cut gap to four points in second half but French side hold on to win

  • Louis Schreuder replaced England's Ben Spencer at scrum-half in late change to Bath team

  • Teams play four group matches with top four from each pool going through to the last 16

  1. Until next time!published at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    FT: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Read the match report on the game here.

    And make sure to join us tomorrow for more Investec Champions Cup action.

    We will be covering:

    Sharks v Exeter Chiefs - 13:00 GMT

    Northampton Saints v Castres - 15:15 GMT

    Saracens v Bulls - 17:30 GMT

    Munster v Stade Francais - 17:30 GMT

    Glasgow Warriors v Sale Sharks - 20:00 GMT

    Racing 92 v Harlequins - 20:00 GMT

  2. 'We can win these type of games'published at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    FT: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Bath captain Charlie Ewels, speaking to Premier Sports: "It was about going play to play. The game just throws stuff at you in conditions like this. I liked how we stayed calm and didn't chase it.

    "We didn't change our game and we had opportunities to then win the game but we didn't take those chances.

    "We are now in a place where we can win these type of games"

  3. Postpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    FT: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    La Rochelle lock Will Skelton, speaking to Premier Sports: "We were licking our lips for this game. We love the Champions Cup and to win away is always a massive achievement."

    La Rochelle celebrate victoryImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'We were really fortunate to hold on 'published at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    FT: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Player of the match Tawera Kerr-Barlow, speaking to Premier Sports: "The conditions changed the game in terms of getting the ball wide in this wind. You have to play to conditions.

    "I thought both teams played the conditions well.

    "Bath wrestled back the momentum and we were really fortunate to hold on at the end."

  5. 'Bath hurt themselves'published at 21:59 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    FT: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That was a classic of it kind given the conditions. I thought it was lost for Bath at half-time but they came back in the second half, took their chances well and were in a position where they could have won the game.

    But every time they had La Rochelle under pressure, they handed the initiative back to them by making mistakes.

    They hurt themselves and will think three or four fewer errors they could have won the match.

    They went toe to toe with the double champions but only got 80% things right and against a monstrously powerful side like La Rochelle you'll end up on the losing side.

    They'll be fed up but there's no disgrace in the result.

  6. Postpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    FT: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Bath next have Benetton away next Sunday, with La Rochelle hosting Bristol Bears.

  7. Full-time - Bath 20-24 La Rochellepublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    Nope, they are happy with the win.

  8. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Scrum penalty for the visitors. Will they go for the bonus point?

  9. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    One final scrum for Bath, deep inside their own half. They will need to go the length.

  10. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Strong carries and into the La Rochelle 22 go Bath. But Levani Botia sees a chance and is in over the ball. I think that might be it now. Massive steal and a big clearance.

  11. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Hope is not lost. Bath get a scrum and Finn Russell goes over to give some orders.

  12. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Niall Annett's throw isn't straight. Was that the final chance? Two bad errors from the former Worcester hooker.

  13. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Holding on and Bath win a huge penalty. A try wins it for Bath as Finn Russell drills it into the corner.

  14. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    A poor penalty to give away from Niall Annett as his push gifts another penalty to La Rochelle.

  15. Postpublished at 71 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Jack Nowell now goes dancing down the touchline. Deep into the Bath half go the visitors. Bath though win a vital penalty as another player goes off their feet at the ruck.

  16. Postpublished at 68 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Superb defensive work from Jack Nowell to win a turnover. He can still play alright. He chops Will Muir and gets straight up to do some counter-rucking.

    Jack NowellImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 67 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Finn Russell sweeps around and sends a kick into space. La Rochelle do brilliantly to exit, even throwing two long passes to get the ball to Brice Dulin.

  18. 'Credit to Bath for fighting back'published at 21:32 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2024

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Despite the weather it's been a compelling game. Plenty of tries, the game's in the balance, and credit to Bath for getting back into it after being 21-6 down at half-time.

  19. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    Massive carry from Gregory Alldritt gets his side out of trouble. The ball is then dropped and the camera pans to a very angry Ronan O'Gara. More at the decision to not give a penalty, I think.

    AlldrittImage source, Reuters
  20. Postpublished at 61 mins

    Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

    The ball falls on Bath's side and Cameron Redpath sends a brilliant kick into the corner. Pressure now on La Rochelle.