La Rochelle, or Stade Rochelais, held off a late charge from Bath Rugby to secure a 24-20 victory in a thrilling 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup opener on Dec. 6 in Bath.

The 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup winners showcased their resilience and composure under pressure, overcoming Bath’s spirited second-half fightback in the pounding rain that never stopped. 

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La Rochelle set the tone early, capitalizing on Bath's errors and asserting dominance in the opening stages. Oscar Jegou’s try in the 17th minute, converted by Ihaia West, put the French side ahead 7-3, after Finn Russell had given Bath the early lead. Reda Wardi added another in the 26th minute, with West’s accurate boot making it 14-3.

Scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow further extended La Rochelle’s lead with a try in the 31st minute, giving them a commanding 21-6 advantage at halftime. Bath’s points in the first half came from two Russell penalties as they struggled to break through La Rochelle’s disciplined defence.

Bath Rugby Second-Half Comeback Falls Short

Bath came out firing in the second half, determined to claw their way back. Tom Dunn powered over the line in the 47th minute, and Russell’s conversion narrowed the gap to 21-13. Quinn Roux added another try for Bath in the 56th minute, with Russell converting again to bring the score to 21-20.

La Rochelle, however, added a crucial penalty in the 58th minute through West, giving them a slight cushion. Despite relentless pressure from Bath in the final quarter, La Rochelle’s defence, bolstered by strategic substitutions, stood firm to claim a 24 - 20 win to start their campaign.

What’s Next For La Rochelle And Bath Rugby

La Rochelle’s victory reinforces their reputation as one of the competition's most formidable teams in Pool 2 despite an up-and-down Top 14 season. Bath, the Premiership table leaders, will have to rebound quickly with Benetton and a trip to Italy in Round 2. 

La Rochelle will host another Premiership team in Round 2, Bristol Bears, on Dec. 14. 

Bath Rugby vs. La Rochelle Scoring Summary

La Rochelle: Tries – Jegou (17’), Wardi (26’), Kerr-Barlow (31’); Conversions – West (18’, 27’, 32’); Penalty – West (58’).

Bath Rugby: Tries – Dunn (47’), Roux (56’); Conversions – Russell (48’, 56’); Penalties – Russell (4’, 30’).

Watch Bath Rugby vs. La Rochelle Champions Cup Highlights

How To Watch The Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Season On FloRugby

Every match of the Investec Champions Cup is streaming on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 1

• La Rochelle 24, Bath Rugby 20
• ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Benetton Rugby, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
• Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Exeter Chiefs, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 8 AM, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
• Northampton Saints vs. Castres Olympique, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens
• DHL Stormers vs. RC Toulon, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 10:15 AM, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
• Munster Rugby vs. Stade Francais Paris, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 12:30 PM, Thomond Park
• Saracens vs. Vodacom Bulls, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 12:30 PM, StoneX Stadium
• Glasgow Warriors vs. Sale Sharks, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 3 PM, Scotstoun Stadium
• Racing 92 vs. Harlequins, Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Dominique Duvauchelle
• Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Leicester Tigers, Sun, Dec 8, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
• Stade Toulousain vs. Ulster Rugby, Sun, Dec 8, 2024, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
• Bristol Bears vs. Leinster Rugby, Sun, Dec 8, 2024, 12:30 PM, Ashton Gate

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025  Round 2

• Sale Sharks vs. Racing 92, Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 3 PM, Salford Community Stadium
• Castres Olympique vs. Munster Rugby, Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Pierre-Fabre
• Vodacom Bulls vs. Northampton Saints, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
• Ulster Rugby vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 10:15 AM, Kingspan Stadium
• Leinster Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
• Leicester Tigers vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:30 PM, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
• Stade Rochelais vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Marcel Deflandre
• Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
• RC Toulon vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Felix Mayol
• Benetton Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8 AM, Stadio Monigo
• Stade Francais Paris vs. Saracens, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 10:15 AM, Stade Jean Bouin
• Exeter Chiefs vs. Stade Toulousain, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 12:30 PM, Sandy Park

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 3

• Glasgow Warriors vs. Racing 92, Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 3 PM, Scotstoun Stadium
• DHL Stormers vs. Sale Sharks, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8 AM, DHL Stadium
• Exeter Chiefs vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Sandy Park
• Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Stade Toulousain, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
• Munster Rugby vs. Saracens, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 PM, Thomond Park
• Stade Francais Paris vs. Northampton Saints, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stade Jean Bouin
• Leicester Tigers vs. Ulster Rugby, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 PM, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
• Castres Olympique vs. Vodacom Bulls, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 PM, Stade Pierre-Fabre
• RC Toulon vs. Harlequins, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Felix Mayol
• Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel Deflandre
• Bristol Bears vs. Benetton Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 AM, Ashton Gate
• Bath Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 12:30 PM, The Rec

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 4

• Ulster Rugby vs. Exeter Chiefs, Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3 PM, Kingspan Stadium
• Vodacom Bulls vs. Stade Francais Paris, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
• Northampton Saints vs. Munster Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens
• ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
• Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stadio Monigo
• Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
• Harlequins vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
• Racing 92 vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Paris La Defense Arena
• Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
• Saracens vs. Castres Olympique, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, StoneX Stadium
• Stade Toulousain vs. Leicester Tigers, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
• Sale Sharks vs. RC Toulon, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 12:30 PM, Salford Community Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

• A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
• 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
• Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
• Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
• The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

• Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
• Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
• Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
• Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
• Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
• Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
• Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
• 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Champions Cup Qualifications 

Twenty-four clubs have qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:

• United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
• TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
• Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
• If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will take the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.

Investec Champions Cup Qualifiers 

• TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
• GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
• UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks

When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the US home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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