Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

La Rochelle Suffer Defeat After Shock Atonio Retirement

Lyon scored five tries to win 44-24 at La Rochelle’s Stade Marcel Deflandre, handing La Rochelle their third home defeat this season, coach Ronan O'Gara said.

  • On Saturday, La Rochelle lost 44-24 at home to Lyon in the French Top 14 at Stade Marcel Deflandre.
  • Following Uini Atonio's retirement on Wednesday, Ronan O'Gara was moved to tears on Friday as a sold-out crowd of 18,000 paid tribute.
  • Lyon built a 31-7 half-time lead, La Rochelle narrowed it to 31-24 after Jack Nowell's try around the hour mark, but Martin Meliande's two penalties and Jiuta Wainiqolo's late score secured Lyon's win.
  • The defeat leaves La Rochelle 10th and six points outside the play-offs after conceding five tries, and Ronan O'Gara said, `We started the game too late to have a hope of winning`.
  • Lyon recorded their first victory since January 3, propelled by an explosive first half on the Atlantic coast during a weekend shaped by 28 France squad members absent for next Thursday's Six Nations opener.
Insights by Ground AI

13 Articles

Center

The Roche fans greeted Uini Atonio during the match against Lyon this Saturday, after announcing his heart problem and forced sports retreat A few days after the announcement of the

·France
Read Full Article
France24France24
Reposted by
Radio France InternationaleRadio France Internationale
Center

·France
Read Full Article
Lean Left

Ronan O的Gara, spoke about the hospitalization of his pillar Uini Atonio, victim of a heart attack on Tuesday 27 January. The coach of the Stade Rochelais was very moved, this Friday 30th, at the time to talk...

·Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

rugbypass.com broke the news in on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal