Champions Cup wrap: La Rochelle reignite title bid

Leicester were unable to capitalise on a two-man second-half advantage as they succumbed to a heavy 45-12 defeat to Champions Cup holders La Rochelle at a sold-out Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Ronan O'Gara’s side, who had Irish lock Ultan Dillane sent to the sin bin in the first half, claimed their first win in Pool D against the previously unbeaten Tigers.

For the two-time reigning champions, centre UJ Seuteni and wing Teddy Thomas each scored twice, with Pierre Bourgarit, Will Skelton and Joel Sclavi also touching down. Antoine Hastoy successfully slotted over the extras on five occasions.

The French powerhouses were reduced to 13 men after Skelton and Jonathan Danty were sent to the sin bin within a minute of each other early in the second period, but La Rochelle still managed to assert their dominance and keep themselves in contention for a last-16 berth.

Bourgarit opened the scoring with a fifth-minute try on an afternoon that also saw the hosts welcome back captain Gregory Alldritt for his first cup appearance of the season.

La Rochelle had two tries on the board before Martin crossed the whitewash for the Tigers' first score after 38 minutes, which Shillcock converted.

Leicester, who had failed to capitalise on Dillane's first-half spell in the sin bin, were also unable to score a single point throughout the two-man advantage when Skelton was sent off in the 50th minute before Danty quickly followed.

And by the time Kelly added a 79th-minute consolation it was too little too late for Leicester, who next face Pool 4 leaders Leinster, while La Rochelle travel to Sale where the winner will be guaranteed a place in the knockout stage.

Saracens suffered a record European defeat as Bordeaux fought back to reach the last 16 following