La Rochelle were beaten by Pau in the Top 14 on Sunday, a result Rugbyrama framed around a damaging scoreless stretch that turned the match. The outlet quoted La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara expressing regret over what it described as a "passage à vide" — a flat spell his side could not recover from.
Rugbyrama's match ratings singled out Rodrigo Marta for a standout display, while Ugo Pacome endured a difficult afternoon. Le Figaro's assessment noted Marta reaching six scores, called Gorgadze impressive, and described the visiting Rochelais as powerless and found wanting.
According to lequipe.fr, Pau controlled the contest and moved level with Lyon at the top of the Top 14 table. Sudouest.fr reported that some La Rochelle players did not take the opportunity presented to them, casting the afternoon as a learning experience for the club's younger contingent — and for O'Gara as well.
The defeat leaves La Rochelle to examine a performance their own coach publicly regretted, while Pau's win strengthens their position near the summit of the standings.
What to watch next: whether La Rochelle can correct course in their following Top 14 fixture, and whether Pau can sustain their push at the top of the table.
