A team not known for their steel have been given a new focus by the former Ireland fly-half and have Leinster in their sights
Victor Vito, La Rochelle’s influential former All Black, laughs as he identifies the biggest change at the club since he first pitched up on France’s Atlantic coast five years ago. “When I got here guys were smoking round the corner of the changing room,” he recalls cheerfully. “Now at least they drive somewhere else to do it.”
Bienvenu to the most interesting team in European rugby right now. In their 123 years of existence, the proud men of Stade Rochelais have failed to win anything, their profile about as visibly high as the German U-boats whose presence ensured the city was the last in France to be liberated in 1945.
