Stade Rochelais secured a crucial bonus-point victory over Union Bordeaux Bègles in a Top 14 clash on April 18, 2026, with scrum-half Antoine Hastoy playing a pivotal role in the 27-16 win at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. The match, part of the 2025-2026 Top 14 season, saw La Rochelle capitalize on home advantage to strengthen their position in the playoff race, while UBB struggled to convert chances despite a spirited second-half effort.
Hastoy, who has been a consistent performer for La Rochelle since joining from Section Paloise in 2022, contributed 14 points through two penalties, two conversions and a drop goal, showcasing his reliability under pressure. His accuracy from the tee and tactical kicking kept UBB under sustained pressure throughout the contest, particularly in the first half when La Rochelle built a 17-3 lead. The victory was especially significant as it marked La Rochelle’s fourth home win of the season and their second bonus-point triumph, reinforcing their credentials as serious contenders for the Top 14 title.
The win moved La Rochelle to 52 points in the standings, placing them third behind Toulouse and Racing 92, while UBB remained in eighth with 38 points, leaving them with function to do to secure a top-six finish and direct qualification for the Champions Cup. Both teams entered the match with differing objectives: La Rochelle aiming to maintain momentum after a narrow loss to Clermont the previous weekend, and UBB seeking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Toulon that had exposed defensive frailties.
Match Summary and Key Moments
La Rochelle began strongly, with winger Raymond Rhule scoring the opening try in the 12th minute after a well-worked move involving fullback Arthur Retière and centre Jonathan Danty. Hastoy converted to make it 7-0, and a penalty three minutes later extended the lead to 10-0. UBB responded through fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, who kicked a penalty in the 20th minute to reduce the deficit to 10-3, but La Rochelle regained control with another Hastoy penalty before halftime, making it 13-3 at the break.
The second half saw UBB mount a comeback, with replacement scrum-half Paul Abadie slicing through the defence to score a try in the 58th minute, which Jalibert converted to make it 13-10. Yet, La Rochelle answered swiftly: Hastoy slotted a drop goal in the 62nd minute to restore a six-point gap, and Rhule added his second try in the 70th minute after intercepting a loose pass from UBB wing Damian Penaud. Hastoy’s conversion made it 20-10, and a final penalty in the 78th minute sealed the bonus point, taking the score to 27-10. UBB scored a consolation try through replacement centre Roman Saïd in the 80th minute, but the bonus had already been secured.
The match was attended by 15,800 spectators at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, according to official Top 14 attendance figures released by Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). Referee Tual Trainini officiated the game, issuing two yellow cards — one to La Rochelle lock Romain Sazy in the 45th minute for collapsing a maul, and another to UBB prop Jefferson-Lee Joseph in the 72nd minute for a dangerous tackle.
Antoine Hastoy’s Influence and Form
Hastoy’s performance was widely praised in post-match analysis, with LNR’s official match report highlighting his 100% kicking success rate (4/4) and his role in directing La Rochelle’s territorial game. The 26-year-old French international has now scored 87 points in 14 Top 14 appearances this season, averaging 6.2 points per game, and has become a key figure in La Rochelle’s backline alongside Retière, and Danty.
Speaking after the match, Hastoy said: “We knew it would be tough, but we stuck to our game plan. The boys worked hard in defence, and when we got our chances, we took them. Getting the bonus point at home is huge for our confidence going into the final stretch.” His comments were reported by L’Équipe in their post-match coverage, which noted his growing influence as a leader within the squad.
Hastoy’s form has been instrumental in La Rochelle’s improved consistency this season. After a slow start that saw them lose two of their first four games, they have won seven of their last nine, with Hastoy contributing in every victory. His ability to operate effectively at both scrum-half and fly-half has given coach Ronan O’Gara tactical flexibility, particularly when managing player rotations during congested fixtures.
UBB’s Struggles and Areas for Improvement
For UBB, the loss highlighted ongoing challenges in maintaining discipline and executing under pressure. Despite dominating possession for stretches of the second half, they conceded 14 points from unforced errors, including a intercepted pass that led directly to Rhule’s second try. Head coach Yannick Bru acknowledged the shortcomings in his post-match press conference, stating: “We had moments where we looked dangerous, but we gave too much away. You can’t afford to gift opportunities to a team like La Rochelle and expect to win.”
UBB’s defence, which had been a strength earlier in the season, conceded 27 points — their highest total since a 35-10 loss to Toulouse in December 2025. Jalibert, while productive with 10 points from the boot, was involved in both of La Rochelle’s tries, either through missed tackles or delayed support. The team’s disciplinary record also came under scrutiny, with Joseph’s yellow card summing up a pattern of avoidable penalties that have cost them points in recent matches.
Nevertheless, UBB showed signs of resilience, particularly in their ability to score tries despite being behind. Abadie’s try was the result of a well-executed move from a scrum near the 22-metre line, and Saïd’s late effort reflected the squad’s determination to fight until the final whistle. The club remains in contention for a Champions Cup spot, but will demand to improve their consistency in both attack and defence to achieve it.
Implications for the Top 14 Race
The result has significant implications for the Top 14 playoff picture. La Rochelle’s win keeps them firmly in the top four, with a realistic chance of overtaking Racing 92 for second place if they maintain their current form. Their remaining fixtures include home matches against Clermont and Castres, and away games against Lyon and Toulon — a challenging but manageable run-in if they can avoid injuries to key players like Retière and Danty.
For UBB, the loss complicates their quest for a top-six finish. They now trail sixth-placed Montpellier by five points with five games left, meaning they must win at least four of their remaining matches to have a chance of overtaking them. Their schedule includes trips to Toulouse and Racing 92, as well as home games against Perpignan and Bayonne — a mix of tough and winnable contests that will test their resilience.
The bonus point earned by La Rochelle could prove decisive in the final standings, especially given how tightly packed the middle of the table is. In the 2024-2025 season, the sixth-place team finished with 48 points, and the gap between third and eighth was just 14 points. With similar parity expected this year, every point gained or lost in matches like this one could determine European qualification.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round of fixtures. La Rochelle travel to face Lyon on April 25, 2026, in a match that could have implications for both sides’ playoff aspirations. Lyon, currently ninth with 34 points, are fighting to avoid a relegation playoff spot, making it a high-stakes encounter for the visitors.
UBB host Perpignan on the same date, a game they will view as a must-win if they are to preserve their top-six hopes alive. Perpignan, sitting 12th with 28 points, have struggled for consistency this season but remain dangerous at home, particularly when backed by their passionate supporters at Stade Aimé Giral.
As the Top 14 season enters its decisive phase, performances like Hastoy’s for La Rochelle and the resilience shown by UBB in defeat will continue to shape the narrative. For fans and analysts alike, the battle for playoff places remains wide open, with form, fitness, and mental strength likely to be the deciding factors in the weeks to come.
For the latest updates on the Top 14 standings, fixtures, and player statistics, fans can visit the official Ligue Nationale de Rugby website at lnr.fr, which provides comprehensive coverage of all matches, including live scores, detailed match reports, and historical data.
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