Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Blow for La Rochelle as Tolu Latu cops ban ahead of Leinster match

La Rochelle's Tolu Latu looks on in Dublin last April (Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

La Rochelle’s hopes of clipping Leinster’s wings in the Investec Champions Cup this Sunday have been dented by the suspension handed down on to hooker Tolu Latu. The 31-year-old was cited by officials in France following a 50th minute yellow card in last Sunday’s Top 14 win over Toulouse.

ADVERTISEMENT

That resulted in a midweek disciplinary hearing and the verdict which emerged on Wednesday evening was a three-game ban, meaning the front-rower won’t play for Ronan O’Gara’s side again this month.

La Rochelle host European rivals Leinster at Stade Marcel-Deflandre this Sunday but ex-Wallabies hooker Latu will now be missing, and he will also sit out the following Champions Cup game at Benetton on January 18 and then the Top 14 encounter away to Toulon on January 26.

Video Spacer

The challenge of competing in the Investec Champions Cup | RPTV

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:54
Loaded: 18.28%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:54
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    The challenge of competing in the Investec Champions Cup | RPTV

    Gary Gold shares his thoughts on how to balance URC and Champions Cup duties. Watch the full episode of Boks Office now on RugbyPass TV

    Watch now

    A Ligue Nationale de Rugby statement read: “Tolu Latu was found responsible for dangerous play in the context of a ruck or maul: (iv) player falling on another player or colliding with his lower limbs.

    “A suspension of four weeks was the entry point. After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (disciplinary record), the sanction was increased by one week.

    Fixture
    Investec Champions Cup
    Stade Rochelais
    14 - 16
    Full-time
    Leinster
    All Stats and Data

    “After taking into account mitigating circumstances (recognition of the facts, conduct before and during the hearing, expression of remorse), the sanction was reduced by two weeks. Therefore, Latu is suspended for three weeks.”

    With French international Pierre Bourgarit yet to return from the serious leg injury he sustained last September, O’Gara will likely turn to Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes to start against Leinster.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Lespiaucq-Brettes provided cover from the bench in last month’s European wins over Bath and Bristol, and he was also a replacement in last weekend’s last-gasp league win over Toulouse.

    Related

    Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

    HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

    Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

    Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

    Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

    Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    1 Comment
    W
    Werner 89 days ago

    So being sorry and remorseful counts more towards the sanction than being a repeat offender? But player safety is the key right!?

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    A
    Aric Boyer 1 hour ago
    Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

    I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

    Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

    From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

    There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

    I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

    Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

    4 Go to comments
    TRENDING
    TRENDING Ronan O'Gara eyes huge Six Nations star for free-falling La Rochelle Ronan O'Gara eyeing huge Six Nations star for free-falling La Rochelle
    Search