La Rochelle Stadium, the yellow and black club
This page Stade Rochelais brings together the home and away jerseys of the club, in adult and child sizes, and recounts the history of the black and yellow: a rugby section recognised in 1898, the caravel of the crest, the Marcel-Deflandre stadium, the promotion of 2014, and the Champions Cups won in 2022 in Marseille and in 2023 in Dublin.
The black and yellow, crowned in Europe.
1898, the flannel belts and the caravel
The Stade Rochelais was born from a multi-sport society created on 8 April 1896, with the rugby section officially recognised in 1898. From 1902, George Henry Jackson, who would later become the club's president, structured this emerging team. The yellow and black colours are said to come from the flannel belts worn during matches against the soldiers of the 123rd infantry regiment, who were then garrisoned in the city. The yellow caravel on a black background appeared in 1961 on the first logo, in homage to the maritime past of the port, which is where the nickname Maritimes comes from. In 2016, the club dropped the name of Atlantic Stade Rochelais and adopted its current crest.
Other clubs
The clubs from Top 14 and Pro D2 are also as follows:
- Stade Toulousain.
- Union Bordeaux Bègles.
- Racing 92.
- RC Toulon.
- Stade Français Paris.
- ASM Clermont Auvergne.
All the clubs are gathered on the page Top 14 and Pro D2.
Marcel-Deflandre, a stadium named after a resistant president
The stadium has been named after Marcel Deflandre since 23 March 1947, who was an former club president involved in the Resistance and executed in January 1944. Located in the heart of La Rochelle, it fills up match after match, with stands that are among the most passionate in French rugby. Around this venue, the club has built its progress: a training centre opened in 1995 and ranked in the first category, a training centre inaugurated in 2017 in the Port-Neuf district, and a rare stability at the head of the club, with Vincent Merling, president since July 1991, who has supported the rise of the yellow and black.
From Twickenham to Dublin, the time of finals
Between 2019 and 2023, La Rochelle played in six major finals. After being defeated by Clermont in the European Challenge final in 2019 in Newcastle, and then by Toulouse in the Champions Cup final at Twickenham and in the Top 14 final in 2021, they took their revenge under the leadership of Ronan O'Gara. On 28 May 2022, at the Vélodrome in Marseille, they won the Champions Cup against Leinster, twenty-four to twenty-one. On 20 May 2023, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, they retained their title against the same opponent, twenty-seven to twenty-six. Captain Grégory Alldritt, Will Skelton and Uini Atonio represent this generation, with Raymond Rhule and Dillyn Leyds behind.
Good deals
Good deals can also be found in the good plans, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new products showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and sent in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days of spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Stade Rochelais return to Top 14?
On 25 May 2014, by winning the promotion final of Pro D2 against Agen, thirty-one to twenty-two, at the Chaban-Delmas stadium in Bordeaux. Patrice Collazo was then in charge of the team that brought the club back into the top tier.
Has Stade Rochelais won the League Cup?
Yes, twice: in 2002 against Biarritz, twenty-three to nineteen, and then in 2003 against Bourgoin-Jallieu, twenty-two to twenty. These were the first national trophies of the Vincent Merling era.
What size Stade Rochelais jersey should I choose for a child?
Refer to the size in centimeters rather than the indicated age. If the child is between two sizes, take the larger one: the jersey will remain comfortable for longer and can be worn over a warm undershirt.
What's the difference between the home jersey and the away jersey for La Rochelle?
The home jersey features the historic yellow and black, worn at Marcel-Deflandre. The away jersey adopts a different dominant colour, used when the opponent's colours might clash.
How do I wash a printed rugby shirt without damaging it?
Turn it inside out, wash it at thirty degrees without fabric softener, then lay it flat to dry, away from radiators. Avoid the tumble dryer and never iron over the crest, logos or printing, as they are sensitive to heat.
