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

Live Reporting

Alastair Telfer

  1. Bath 6-21 La Rochelle

    Bath may well need a score before the break. They have a scrum just inside the visitors' half and win a penalty.

    Just what the doctor ordered.

  2. Bath 6-21 La Rochelle

    Finn Russell tries a clever kick over the top of the La Rochelle defence, but again it is spilled forward. This came after some great work from Jack Nowell after he looked in trouble with his back turned. However, some clever footwork got him out of trouble.

    The French side are playing the conditions better.

  3. Bath 6-21 La Rochelle

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

    La Rochelle are in danger of going out of sight. They have scored three tries despite a blanket of rain sweeping across the pitch.

    Ronan O'Gara will be absolutely delighted with this score playing away from home in these conditions.

  4. try

    Converted try - Bath 6-21 La Rochelle

    Tawera Kerr-Barlow (con Ihaia West)

    The whole of the Rec expected another driving maul. Instead, the ball was chucked down to Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who picked it off his boot laces, and ran through a massive hole that opened.

  5. Penalty - Bath 6-14 La Rochelle

    Finn Russell

    Some strike from out wide by Finn Russell. Any questions to why risk a tough kick in the difficult conditions were answered.

  6. 'Big statement from La Rochelle'

    Bath 3-14 La Rochelle

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

    What forward power and what a big statement from the men from La Rochelle. That was an awesome bit of forward play. That was the grip they have established becoming vice-like.

    Bath started well but it's been all La Rochelle for the last 10-15 minutes. La Rochelle lead 14-3 and that is a sizeable lead in this weather.

  7. try

    Converted try - Bath 3-14 La Rochelle

    Reda Wardi (con Ihaia West)

    What a drive!

    The La Rochelle maul rampages for what felt like 20 metres to the line and Reda Wardi dots down. Pure, pure power.

    Reda WardiGetty Images

  8. Bath 3-7 La Rochelle

    An excellent kick from Ihaia West turns Bath back towards their own 22. La Rochelle then win a penalty after pressure off the line-out.

    Into the corner they go...

  9. Very, very wet....

    Bath 3-7 La Rochelle

    Plenty of hoods up at the Rec!

    Unsurprisingly we have another scrum from a dropped high take.

    Rain at the RecGetty Images

  10. 'Decision-making crucial on a night like this'

    Bath 3-7 La Rochelle

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

    Possession is so hard-earned on a night like this and technically and tactically you've got to be so good. Decision-making at nine and 10 is always key but tonight it's amplified because of the rain.

  11. Bath 3-7 La Rochelle

    Ihaia West dribbles the ball through after a mistake from Finn Russell. I've a feeling this game will be decided by which 10 manages the conditions better.

    So far, West is winning...

  12. try

    Converted try - Bath 3-7 La Rochelle

    Oscar Jegou (con Ihaia West)

    La Rochelle keep it tight and take carry after carry close to the ruck. Oscar Jegou finally is the one to push his way over.

    Easy kick for Ihaia West.

  13. Bath 3-0 La Rochelle

    The handling is awful from both sides. Jonathan Danty drops a shocker, but La Rochelle are able to win a penalty after a Bath player is offside following their own drop.

  14. 'It's cold, it's wet, it's windy'

    Bath 3-0 La Rochelle

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

    The conditions here at the Rec are awful. It's cold, it's wet, it's windy. It's one for the purists but it gives the game a real layer of intrigue. It's a fascinating arm wrestle between two former winners of this competition.

  15. Bath 3-0 La Rochelle

    Another kick and another drop. So we have another scrum. Get used to that as it is not a night for running rugby.

  16. Bath 3-0 La Rochelle

    Bath are again keeping it tight to the ruck with their carries. They are making plenty of progress until Jonathan Danty gets over the ball. You'd need a truck to remove him.

  17. Bath 3-0 La Rochelle

    Another mistake from Brice Dulin as his grubber kick goes dead. Right idea, wrong execution. All about playing the conditions when the rain is belting down like it is.

  18. Penalty - Bath 3-0 La Rochelle

    Finn Russell

    Finn Russell bangs over the easiest of penalties from directly in front.

  19. Bath 0-0 La Rochelle

    Bath smash their way right up to the line but are stopped just short and go back for the penalty.

  20. Bath 0-0 La Rochelle

    It is very, very wet. Tom de Glanville puts up a kick and Brice Dulin drops an easy catch in his own 22.