When the full-time whistle sounded at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle fans groaned as many of their rugby heroes fell to the ground.
La Rochelle have gone for an aggressive 7-1 split on the bench for their Champions Cup showdown with Leinster, though they will be without their towering Wallaby lock Will Skelton.
The Connacht flanker is settled far from his native New Zealand as he enters the make-or-break part of his Irish stay.
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
With less than a year now until the first Test between Australia and the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane, head coach Andy Farrell will have a rough idea of who will be part of his squad.
Former Australia captain Will Skelton has signed a contract extension with La Rochelle, keeping him at the Stade Marcel Deflandre until 2028.
The charismatic Munsterman has the Dubliners in his sights and the mind games have begun
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.
The Stormers recorded their first Champions Cup win of the season, beating Stade Rochelais in Cape Town on Saturday.
La Rochelle winger Dillyn Leyds has opened up on what has given the back-to-back European champions the edge in the last few seasons, citing man management as a crucially important factor.