La Rochelle 45-21 SaleRaymond Rhule inspires La Rochelle in second halfLa Rochelle have been bubbling under in European rugby for a little while but now, at their third attempt, they have themselves a semi-final in the main event. Sale marched on the Atlantic coast, chests out after the demolition
Job that had laid waste to the Scarlets of Llanelli the week before. They were decisively deflated come the final whistle. Or, actually, a good half an hour before – comprehensively beaten 45-21.
Alex Sanderson, newly installed with a project of his own, had noted last week how Sale’s dismantling of the Scarlets had advertised to La Rochelle that they were coming for them. It seems the hosts absorbed the message. The mix of influences – their South African wingers, the Kiwis at the heart of the team, the French talents, established and arriving, Pierre Bougarit, Brice Dulin, Kevin Gourdon et al – were too potent for mere brutality.