La Rochelle back-row forward Grégory Alldritt says the French club cannot wait for their first European final. In fact, they wish the Challenge Cup decider against ASM Clermont Auvergne in Newcastle was this weekend! The 22-year-old is still buzzing after being voted man of the match in La Rochelle’s 24-20 semi-final success against Sale Sharks last weekend at Stade Marcel Deflandre and has been a star of their Challenge Cup campaign with five tries in seven appearances. “What’s hard is that we’re in a final,” he said. “We’re all thinking about it and we’d like it to be this weekend. There’s a difference when there’s a crunch match in a week or at the end. This scenario doesn’t put on any pressure, but we have been thinking about it all week.” [jwplayer 2qr45ANR] The French international described La Rochelle’s all-French final against Clermont on May 10 at St James’ Park as “the highlight” of their season. “We’re very happy to be in the final of the Challenge Cup,” he commented. “We’ve shown a lot of character. We never give up. “It’s a new experience. In the squad there are not many players who have reached a European final. It’s exciting for everyone to go to Newcastle and it’s certainly already the highlight of the season.”