La Rochelle Rugby (13-1-12), or Stade Rochelais, begins the 2025\u201326 Top 14 season with a roster built to compete on multiple fronts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Founded in 1898, the club has transformed from a regional power to a national and continental contender in the professional era. Its rise has been anchored by depth in the forwards and world-class playmakers in the backs.<\/p>\n
In recent years, La Rochelle has developed a reputation for success in Europe. They captured Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, cementing themselves among France\u2019s elite. Though the 2024\u201325 season fell short of expectations with a mid-table league finish, the team remains respected across the competition.<\/p>\n
Supporters at Stade Marcel-Deflandre have been central to that progress. Known for passionate displays, they have helped the club establish one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the league. Opponents rarely find comfort in La Rochelle, where the yellow-and-black crowd is a constant factor.<\/p>\n
The 2025\u201326 season brings new challenges, including tough early fixtures against Bordeaux and Clermont. But La Rochelle enters with the same combination of international stars and proven veterans that has carried the club to finals in both the Top 14 and Europe. With that context, here are three facts general rugby fans will find most interesting.<\/p>\n
Back-to-Back Champions Cup Titles<\/p>\n
La Rochelle became the toast of Europe in 2022 and 2023 by winning consecutive Champions Cup finals. They defeated Leinster on both occasions, marking one of the most impressive modern runs by a French club. Those triumphs elevated La Rochelle\u2019s profile beyond France, proving they could match the continent\u2019s best.<\/p>\n
Will Skelton\u2019s Influence<\/p>\n
Australian lock Will Skelton remains one of the most important players in the Top 14. At 6-foot-8 and nearly 300 pounds, he dominates lineouts and scrums while offering leadership on and off the field. Skelton\u2019s presence has helped shape La Rochelle into one of the most physical forward packs in Europe.<\/p>\n
A True Home Fortress<\/p>\n
Stade Marcel-Deflandre has become a fortress in French rugby. La Rochelle conceded fewer than 20 points in nine matches last season, most of them at home. The stadium\u2019s atmosphere, capacity of more than 16,000 and proximity to the Atlantic coast make it one of the most unique and difficult venues in the league.<\/p>\n
How To Watch La Rochelle Rugby in the United States<\/p>\n
Fans in the United States can watch every La Rochelle match on FloRugby and the FloSports app. The broadcast package includes all Top 14 games, plus coverage of the Gallagher Premiership, United Rugby Championship, Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. La Rochelle\u2019s season opener and every fixture through the playoffs will be available live and on demand.<\/p>\n
La Rochelle Rugby Schedule 2025\u201326Sept. 6 \u2014 at Union Bordeaux-B\u00e8gles, Stade Chaban-DelmasSept. 13 \u2014 vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Marcel-DeflandreSept. 20 \u2014 at Lyon, Matmut Stadium de GerlandSept. 27 \u2014 vs. USA Perpignan, Stade Marcel-DeflandreOct. 4 \u2014 at Montpellier H\u00e9rault Rugby, GGL StadiumOct. 11 \u2014 at Stade Fran\u00e7ais Paris, Stade Jean-BouinOct. 18 \u2014 vs. US Montauban, Stade Marcel-DeflandreOct. 25 \u2014 at Lyon, Matmut Stadium de GerlandNov. 1 \u2014 vs. Racing 92, Stade Marcel-DeflandreNov. 22 \u2014 vs. Castres Olympique, Stade Marcel-DeflandreNov. 29 \u2014 at Pau, Stade du HameauDec. 20 \u2014 vs. Bayonne, Stade Marcel-DeflandreDec. 27 \u2014 at Toulouse, Stade Ernest-WallonJan. 3 \u2014 vs. RC Toulon, Stade Marcel-DeflandreJan. 24 \u2014 at ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Marcel-MichelinJan. 31 \u2014 vs. Lyon, Stade Marcel-DeflandreFeb. 14 \u2014 at Montpellier H\u00e9rault Rugby, GGL StadiumFeb. 28 \u2014 at Castres Olympique, Stade Pierre-FabreMar. 21 \u2014 vs. Pau, Stade Marcel-DeflandreMar. 28 \u2014 at Bayonne, Stade Jean-DaugerApr. 18 \u2014 vs. Union Bordeaux-B\u00e8gles, Stade Marcel-DeflandreApr. 25 \u2014 at USA Perpignan, Stade Aim\u00e9 GiralMay 9 \u2014 at Racing 92, Paris La D\u00e9fense ArenaMay 16 \u2014 vs. Toulouse, Stade Marcel-DeflandreMay 30 \u2014 at US Montauban, Stade SapiacJune 6 \u2014 vs. Stade Fran\u00e7ais Paris, Stade Marcel-DeflandreLa Rochelle Rugby Previous Season Recap<\/p>\n
The 2024\u201325 campaign ended with La Rochelle outside the semifinals despite winning 13 matches. The team secured strong victories over Toulouse and Toulon but lacked consistency away from home. That inconsistency, along with the demands of balancing the Champions Cup, left them just short of their goals.<\/p>\n
La Rochelle Rugby Roster 2025\u201326<\/p>\n
Forwards: Alexandre Kaddouri, Louis Keziah Penverne, Reda Wardi, Pierre Bourgarit, Silatolu Latu, Quentin Lespiaucq, Nika Sutidze, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Kuntelia, Joel Sclavi, Karl Sorin, Ultan Dillane, Kane Douglas, Thomas Lavault, Will Skelton, Judicael Cancoriet, Oscar Jegou, Paul Boudehent, Matthias Haddad, Gregory Alldritt, Gael Galvan<\/p>\n
Backs: Thomas Berjon, Nolann Le Garrec, Antoine Hastoy, Ihaia West, Nathan Bollengier, Hoani Bosmorin, Dillyn Leyds, Levani Botia, Jonathan Danty, Jules Favre, Simeli Daunivucu, Ulupano Seuteni, Semi Lagivala, Jack Nowell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Davit Niniashvili, Ugo Pacome<\/p>\n
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby<\/p>\n
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:\u00a0<\/p>\n
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"La Rochelle Rugby (13-1-12), or Stade Rochelais, begins the 2025\u201326 Top 14 season with a roster built to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":120637,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[64,63,760,85],"class_list":["post-120636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-rugby","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120636"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120636\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}