European rugby finalists in punch-up as 30-man brawl breaks out and star floored
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There wasn't a player left out of the action as things got heated between Leinster and La Rochelle.
The most anticipated match of the Champions Cup's opening weekend was only 11 minutes in when every player on the pitch was involved in a major scrap. And it ended with international rugby stars Joe McCarthy and Jonathan Danty being sent to the sin bin for their roles in the melee.
Leinster – who have lost to La Rochelle in each of the past two Champions Cup finals – were applying pressure on the hosts' line at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre when things went haywire. Referee Matthew Carley had to consult the television match official to find out who was to blame for the brawl, but cards were inevitable once punches started flying.
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A high-quality encounter was always expected as two titans of Europe familiar with one another got reacquainted in Pool D. But fans perhaps weren't prepared for just how hot-blooded the game would turn out to be in its earliest phases.
"This La Rochelle v Leinster game is nuts," posted one spectator in disbelief at what they were watching. Another wrote: "I’m trying to watch a rugby match [between] Leinster and La Rochelle and it’s more like a punch up. Two players sin binned in the 11th minute already."
It was immediately after the brawl that Leinster took the initiative and spread the ball wide for Ireland's Jordan Larmour to go over for the game's opening try. However, the visitors know better than most not to count their chickens early against this foe after La Rochelle – coached by Munster legend Ronan O'Gara – came from 17 points behind to win last season's final.
O'Gara wasn't present on the touchline for his team due to a one-game disciplinary ban, but La Rochelle made their presence felt in his absence. The French powerhouse lived up their reputation with an extremely physical first 40 minutes, though it didn't prevent Leinster from going in as 10-6 leaders at the interval.
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The United Rugby Championship kingpins have more than enough motivation to seek vengeance in this fixture given the recent history between the two clubs. Last season's narrow miss in the European decider was particularly painful given the fact La Rochelle's comeback occurred at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
O'Gara's touchline absence provides an additional reason to capitalise, with one of the sport's emerging geniuses limited in his impact for the hosts. However, La Rochelle made it clear early on that they'd be taking a head-first approach in attempting to maintain their grip on one of Europe's newest rivalries.
- Rugby union
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