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Andy Onyeama-Christie on brink of Saracens exit as new club emerge
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Gutsy Leicester Tigers fall to Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle
By PA
Leicester delivered a plucky display but a Tigers side featuring several Investec Champions Cup debutants went down to a 39-20 defeat at La Rochelle.
Gregory Alldritt had a try disallowed before putting the hosts ahead the second time he touched down, while La Rochelle led 10-0 after the first quarter when Jules Favre dotted down.
Billy Searle’s penalty and Joaquin Moro’s converted try evened things up at 10-10 after half-an-hour, but Oscar Jegou crossed just before the interval, with Ihaia West adding the extras for the first time.
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Searle’s penalty meant La Rochelle led 17-13 at half-time, but Jegou’s converted try gave them some breathing room before West’s penalty stretched their advantage even further.
La Rochelle used all their experience in the second half to boss a young Leicester side and quickfire tries from UJ Seuteni and Nathan Bollengier sealed a bonus-point win for the 2022 and 2023 champions.
Leicester did at least have the final say as Will Wand bagged a converted try in the dying moments, but they start their Pool Three campaign on a losing note and sit bottom after one round.
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