Boks named on La Rochelle bench for Lions clash

SA Rugby Mag reports that Dillyn Leyds and Salmaan Moerat have been named among the La Rochelle replacements for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Lions at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. The two Springboks are on the bench for the opening-week fixture, giving the French club South African interest from the first whistle right through to the finish.

The match is set to go ahead following the death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews on Friday. That context sits heavily over the fixture, but the report focuses on the team sheets and how both sides are preparing to play despite the difficult week.

Leyds arrives with momentum after captaining La Rochelle to an away win against Lyon last week. SA Rugby Mag notes that the veteran outside back scored his 50th try for the club in his 153rd appearance, a reminder of how established he has become in French colours.

Moerat, a former Stormer, is in line to make his debut for La Rochelle after joining the back-to-back European champions this season. His inclusion on the bench suggests the club may look to use him as the game opens up, although the report stops at the team announcement and does not project how much time he will get.

Ronan O’Gara has kept faith with a strong starting side built around France No 8 Grégory Alldritt, who will captain the team from the back row. He is joined by Oscar Jegou and Theo McFarland, while locks Watisoni Waqanisaravi and Charles Kante Samba are set to add physical presence behind a front trio of Karl Sorin, Pierre Bourgarit and Alexandre Kaddouri.

In the backline, Valentin Bouju and Antoine Hastoy form the halfback pairing, with Semi Lagivala and Jules Favre in midfield. Sacha Elissalde starts at fullback, and Tevita Ofa and Davit Niniashvili are the wings. SA Rugby Mag also notes that 21-year-old Fijian flyer Avakuki Niusalelekitoga is in line for a maiden club outing if he is called on from a 6-2 bench split.

The article also gives some form context. The Lions come into the match after a heavy Jukskei derby defeat that ended their two-match URC winning run, while La Rochelle have won four of their six Top 14 matches this season and sit fourth on the log. O’Gara’s side have also won their last two league matches and have taken two of three at home so far.

For South African readers, the main takeaway is straightforward. Two familiar Bok names will be in the mix for La Rochelle, one potentially making his first appearance for the club and the other continuing a strong run of form. Against a Lions team carrying both recent disappointment and the weight of a difficult week, the French side head in as a settled, in-form outfit with depth on the bench and experience throughout the squad.