Stade Rochelais, commonly known as La Rochelle, thwarted a final push from Bath Rugby to clinch a 24-20 triumph in a captivating 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup opener on December 6 in Bath. The champions from 2022 and 2023 demonstrated their grit and poise under pressure, fending off Bath’s determined second-half surge amidst relentless rain. La […]
Stade Rochelais, commonly known as La Rochelle, thwarted a final push from Bath Rugby to clinch a 24-20 triumph in a captivating 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup opener on December 6 in Bath.
The champions from 2022 and 2023 demonstrated their grit and poise under pressure, fending off Bath’s determined second-half surge amidst relentless rain.
La Rochelle set an aggressive tone right from the start, taking advantage of Bath’s mistakes and establishing control during the initial minutes. Oscar Jegou’s try in the 17th minute, successfully converted by Ihaia West, put the French team ahead 7-3, following Finn Russell’s early contribution for Bath. Reda Wardi extended the lead in the 26th minute, with West’s precise kick making it 14-3.
Scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow widened La Rochelle’s lead with a try in the 31st minute, allowing them to enter halftime with a solid 21-6 advantage. Bath’s points in the opening half were provided by two penalties from Russell as they found it hard to penetrate La Rochelle’s staunch defense.
Bath Rugby’s Second-Half Rally Comes Up Short
Bath emerged with fierce intent in the second half, eager to make a comeback. Tom Dunn broke through for a try in the 47th minute, and Russell’s conversion cut the deficit to 21-13. In the 56th minute, Quinn Roux contributed another try for Bath, with Russell again converting to bring the score to 21-20.
However, La Rochelle responded with a vital penalty from West in the 58th minute, providing them with a small buffer. Despite sustained pressure from Bath in the closing stages, La Rochelle’s defense, enhanced by tactical substitutions, held strong to secure a 24-20 victory, kicking off their campaign on a positive note.
Future Prospects for La Rochelle and Bath Rugby
La Rochelle’s win solidifies their standing as one of the most formidable teams in Pool 2, even in light of a mixed Top 14 season. Bath, leading the Premiership, will need to recover swiftly as they prepare for a match against Benetton and a trip to Italy in Round 2.
La Rochelle is set to face another Premiership side in Round 2, taking on the Bristol Bears on December 14.
Scoring Summary: Bath Rugby vs. La Rochelle
La Rochelle: Tries – Jegou (17’), Wardi (26’), Kerr-Barlow (31’); Conversions – West (18’, 27’, 32’); Penalty – West (58’).
Bath Rugby: Tries – Dunn (47’), Roux (56’); Conversions – Russell (48’, 56’); Penalties – Russell (4’, 30’).
Catch the Highlights of Bath Rugby vs. La Rochelle in the Champions Cup
Viewing Options for the Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Season on FloRugby
All matches of the Investec Champions Cup will be available for streaming on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 1 Fixtures
- La Rochelle 24, Bath Rugby 20
- ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Benetton Rugby, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
- Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Exeter Chiefs, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 8 AM, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
- Northampton Saints vs. Castres Olympique, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
- DHL Stormers vs. RC Toulon, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 10:15 AM, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
- Munster Rugby vs. Stade Francais Paris, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 12:30 PM, Thomond Park
- Saracens vs. Vodacom Bulls, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 12:30 PM, StoneX Stadium
- Glasgow Warriors vs. Sale Sharks, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 3 PM, Scotstoun Stadium
- Racing 92 vs. Harlequins, Saturday, December 7, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Dominique Duvauchelle
- Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Leicester Tigers, Sunday, December 8, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
- Stade Toulousain vs. Ulster Rugby, Sunday, December 8, 2024, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
- Bristol Bears vs. Leinster Rugby, Sunday, December 8, 2024, 12:30 PM, Ashton Gate
Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 2 Fixtures
- Sale Sharks vs. Racing 92, Friday, December 13, 2024, 3 PM, Salford Community Stadium
- Castres Olympique vs. Munster Rugby, Friday, December 13, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Pierre-Fabre
- Vodacom Bulls vs. Northampton Saints, Saturday, December 14, 2024, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
- Ulster Rugby vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Saturday, December 14, 2024, 10:15 AM, Kingspan Stadium
- Leinster Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Saturday, December 14, 2024, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
- Leicester Tigers vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Saturday, December 14, 2024, 12:30 PM, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
- Stade Rochelais vs. Bristol Bears, Saturday, December 14, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Marcel Deflandre
- Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Saturday, December 14, 2024, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
- RC Toulon vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sunday, December 15, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Felix Mayol
- Benetton Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sunday, December 15, 2024, 8 AM, Stadio Monigo
- Stade Francais Paris vs. Saracens, Sunday, December 15, 2024, 10:15 AM, Stade Jean Bouin
- Exeter Chiefs vs. Stade Toulousain, Sunday, December 15, 2024, 12:30 PM, Sandy Park
Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 3 Fixtures
- Glasgow Warriors vs. Racing 92, Friday, January 10, 2025, 3 PM, Scotstoun Stadium
- DHL Stormers vs. Sale Sharks, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 8 AM, DHL Stadium
- Exeter Chiefs vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Sandy Park
- Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Stade Toulousain, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
- Munster Rugby vs. Saracens, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 12:30 PM, Thomond Park
- Stade Francais Paris vs. Northampton Saints, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stade Jean Bouin
- Leicester Tigers vs. Ulster Rugby, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 3 PM, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
- Castres Olympique vs. Vodacom Bulls, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 3 PM, Stade Pierre-Fabre
- RC Toulon vs. Harlequins, Sunday, January 12, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Felix Mayol
- Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, Sunday, January 12, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel Deflandre
- Bristol Bears vs. Benetton Rugby, Sunday, January 12, 2025, 10:15 AM, Ashton Gate
- Bath Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sunday, January 12, 2025, 12:30 PM, The Rec
Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 4 Fixtures
- Ulster Rugby vs. Exeter Chiefs, Friday, January 17, 2025, 3 PM, Kingspan Stadium
- Vodacom Bulls vs. Stade Francais Paris, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
- Northampton Saints vs. Munster Rugby, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
- ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
- Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stadio Monigo
- Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
- Harlequins vs. Glasgow Warriors, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
- Racing 92 vs. DHL Stormers, Saturday, January 18, 2025, 3 PM, Paris La Defense Arena
- Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sunday, January 19, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
- Saracens vs. Castres Olympique, Sunday, January 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, StoneX Stadium
- Stade Toulousain vs. Leicester Tigers, Sunday, January 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
- Sale Sharks vs. RC Toulon, Sunday, January 19, 2025, 12:30 PM, Salford Community Stadium
Structure of the Investec Champions Cup
Key aspects of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:
- Utilizes a multi-pool structure, as introduced in the 2023-2024 season
- Comprises 24 elite teams – eight from the Gallagher Premiership, URC, and TOP 14 – grouped into four pools of six
- Featuring competitive stakes, with each team facing four unique opponents, either at home or away, during the pool phase
- The top four ranked teams from each pool proceed to the Round of 16
- The tournament will unfold across eight weekends, including four rounds of pool play followed by four knockout rounds, culminating in the final on May 24, 2025, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Timetable for Investec Champions Cup Weekends
- Round 1 – December 6/7/8, 2024
- Round 2 – December 13/14/15, 2024
- Round 3 – January 10/11/12, 2025
- Round 4 – January 17/18/19, 2025
- Round of 16 – April 4/5/6, 2025
- Quarter-finals – April 11/12/13, 2025
- Semi-finals – May 2/3/4, 2025
- Final of the Investec Champions Cup 2025 – Saturday, May 24, at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Qualifications for the Champions Cup
Twenty-four clubs have secured their spot in the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:
- United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked teams based on their final standings.
- TOP 14 (8): The eight top-ranked teams based on their concluding positions.
- Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight premier-ranked teams based on their end placements.
- If not already qualified, the reigning champion of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will replace the eighth-placed team in its league.
Qualifiers for Investec Champions Cup
- TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
- GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
- UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks
Commencement of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup and Date of the Final
The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup are set to kick off on December 6, with the four-round pool stage concluding on January 19, 2025. The Round of 16 will commence on April 4, followed by the quarterfinals from April 11 to 13. The semifinals are scheduled for May 2 to 4.
The EPCR Championships will take place in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium, featuring championship matches on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup).
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