Bath v La Rochelle: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Bath reached the knockout stage of the European Champions Cup last season for the first time since 2015 and are drawn in a tough section featuring tournament second-favourites Leinster, who reached the last three finals, and La Rochelle, back-to-back winners in 2022 and 2023.

Bath met La Rochelle in the first of those campaigns and suffered a heavy defeat - they were 39-0 down with less than an hour gone and only three late tries gave the scoreline a touch of respectability.

Two seasons on, Bath are a tougher proposition and are rated three-point favourites for Friday’s clash at the Rec.

Bath v La Rochelle betting tips and predictions

La Rochelle +3.5 - 10/11

Bath have made an impressive start to their Premiership season, losing just one of their seven fixtures to sit top of the table, and head coach Johann van Graan has highlighted the way his side have been able to tailor their game against opponents with differing styles of play.

Against La Rochelle, Bath will pretty much know what to expect. The French outfit are renowned for a tough, physical and uncompromising approach and the set piece will be a key battleground.

Included in the visitors’ line-up are powerhouse prop Uini Atonio, towering Australian lock Will Skelton and France captain Gregory Alldritt at number eight and they will lead a forward onslaught primed to starve Bath fly-half Finn Russell and his dangerous backline of quick ball to work with.

La Rochelle are on a poor run in the Top 14 with just one win in their last four and the most recent defeat came at home last weekend to bottom side Vannes.

But that result may work in their favour as coach Ronan O’Gara has called for a reaction and he may well get it from his pumped-up pack.

La Rochelle won both of their matches against Premiership opposition last season, beating Leicester 45-12 at home and winning 37-24 at Sale Sharks, while the previous season they beat Northampton home and away.

Bath have raised their game domestically in the last two seasons and claimed two big European scalps at home last season, beating Ulster and Racing in their pool matches.

But this looks set to be a much tighter battle and their opponents will be going all out to knock Bath off their attacking stride and there could well be a close outcome.

No tryscorer - 25/1

A fired-up and physical pack isn’t the only obstacle Bath have to face on Friday night - the forecast conditions will present another battle of their own.

Rain and winds gusting up to 40mph are predicted come the evening, and the visitors, with their power up front, look better placed to play those conditions.

Both fly-halves look set to kick for territory and keep their opponents at arm’s length while difficult handling conditions are likely to make for a disjointed, stop-start game.

That should favour La Rochelle who can take the sting out of Bath’s attacking game while it also allows their bulky forwards to pace themselves through the contest and put all their strength into the set piece.

It’s also likely to mean both teams’ try threat is significantly reduced even though they boast considerable attacking talents out wide.

It could come down to the kickers to decide this and any penalties within range are likely to lead to a shot at goal rather than run the risk of keeping ball in hand.

Bath fans may well remember a showdown with Toulouse in Europe played in heavy rain which ended in a 3-3 draw, and while the outcome may not be so extreme this time, the conditions look set to dictate a low-scoring clash.

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Bath v La Rochelle odds

Bath - 8/13
Tie - 20/1
La Rochelle - 11/8

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.