Pau dominates La Rochelle with the offensive bonus, Marta and Gorgadze shine

The beautiful reaction from Pau

The 50 points in Lyon are well digested. At the Hameau, the Palois put things back in the right order by winning with the offensive bonus (39-17). Not everything was perfect, of course. Sébastien Piqueronnies' players particularly suffered in the scrum. On the other hand, they will have been precise in touch and attractive offensively.

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Marta, always stronger

Rodrigo Marta will become irreplaceable. Arriving from Colomiers after being revealed at Dax in the National (third division), the Portuguese is flying through the start of the season and scored his sixth try in four matches played this Saturday evening. His test was not done. After hooking Leyds, Marta lands a devastating racket on Le Garrec and finishes in the in-goal. He made a huge defensive return on Bollengier in the second half. Ultra fast, constantly in the ankles of his counterparts and very strong on the upper body, he once again showed the extent of his talent. And it's not over...

Gorgadze, the captain

He too is indisputable in the Pau squad. Often bothered by injuries during his career, the Georgian nevertheless remains a great customer. Against La Rochelle, he notably put Grégory Alldritt (29th) on the buttocks after an angry charge. Beka Gorgadze constantly offered himself offensively, as in his try at the hour mark and was perfect in touch. He is in the relay and delivers a decisive pass for Manu three minutes from the end. Symbol of its activity.

FLOPS

A weak La Rochelle team

The first minutes in La Rochelle were interesting... But that's all. Before long, the Maritimes exploded. Too clumsy, feverish in defense and sterile in attack, Ronan O'Gara's players did not reassure, a week after their surprise defeat at home against Racing 92. The second half was of the same ilk and the coaching was not sufficient.

Too many failures

An average footy game, a touch not up to the level and an offensive game that is far too messy, La Rochelle cannot, with all these failing sectors, hope to win against a big player in this championship. The only reason for satisfaction is the players who are missing like Bourgarit, Boudehent, Hastoy, Nowell or Niniashvili. Clermont's next reception will be crucial.

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Alldritt and the helplessness of the Maritimes

The La Rochelle pack held up well in the scrum, in the wake of a good Louis Penverne. As for the rest, there isn't much to keep. Sutidze did what he could, Waqanisaravi was undisciplined and the La Rochelle 3rd line, with the exception of Haddad, suffered from the comparison. Like an active Grégory Alldritt but less powerful than usual.

Healy, first too neutral

Are we entitled to expect more from Antoine Hastoy’s understudy? And a Scottish international (10 caps)? Probably. Launched for his first in the Top 14, the La Rochelle opening half will not necessarily have shone. In particular, he commits a crude forward just before Pau's first try. He tried to distribute the game but never really tried his luck. He even ended the match with a direct kick into touch (75th). The young and talented Diego Jurd is waiting for his chance.