La Rochelle have opened the Top 14 season by beating Toulouse 30-27 at Stade Marcel Deflandre, with the winning kick arriving at the last moment.
A sharp opening warning
Toulouse arrived as defending champions and produced a fierce 12-minute burst during the match. La Rochelle fought back, then found enough composure to take the game with the last kick.
It is only the first round, but that does not make it a throwaway result. Toulouse have spent recent seasons setting the standard in France. La Rochelle have reminded the league that a visit to the Atlantic coast remains one of the hardest fixtures on the calendar.
The Champions Cup shadow
Both clubs sit in the same Investec Champions Cup pool as Leinster and Connacht this season. Their domestic form will matter quickly to Irish supporters, because Europe has a habit of arriving before a side has settled.
La Rochelle have begun with a win that will travel. Toulouse have a defeat that will sharpen their next few weeks.
Reporting: Ligue Nationale de Rugby, The42