La Rochelle take on English from Gloucester at the Deflandre Stadium on Saturday

A short gap in the top 14 to play in the European Cup. Stade Roselaise face Gloucester at Stade Deflandre on Saturday in what will once again be a sell-out fixture.

Buoyed by an excellent run of four consecutive wins in the top 14, including a last-gasp masterful victory in Bordeaux, Stade Roselaise don the European jersey for the Round of 16 against Gloucester. The English club lacks the same energy, sitting eighth in the English Championship and on a three-game losing streak.

The two clubs have already met in the Champions Cup in 2021 in the Round of 16 and La Rochelle narrowly won 27/16.

But without offending the English, La Rochelle leaves with the label of favorite. The team is the defending champion and has been finding a winning rhythm for weeks. That’s enough to justify the fact that State Roselaise is ranked second in the Top 14 behind State Toulouse. Both teams are the winning teams in this European competition.

The return of international players is good for La Rochelle, although there is always caution. That’s what Pierre Borgeret said in a press conference after his victory in Bordeaux last week. “We proved that we are in good shape. But then, this season, we changed the good and the less good.”

Either way, Stade Roselaise can count on the unwavering support of its public, and the match will sell out again.

The meeting will start at 6:30 pm and our colleagues from France will know 4.

A lineup of teams starting with Stade Roselaise

and Gloucester Rugby

For supporters, the stadium gates will open from 4.30pm and there is bicycle parking on the Place de l’Église de France.