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Edinburgh were beaten by La Rochelle in their European Champions Cup opener but took the consolation of a losing bonus point.

Jules Plisson's penalty and Raymond Rhule's try helped the French side into an 8-3 lead at half-time.

Jeremy Sinzelle capitalised on errors to force La Rochelle's second score early in the second period.

Jaco van der Walt kicked the hosts' earlier penalty but could not convert Blair Kinghorn's try.

Richard Cockerill's side visit Sale next Saturday after La Rochelle have their first home Pool 1 match against Bath.

Plisson's flat kick gave La Rochelle a three-point lead early on and Edinburgh almost fell further behind after Kinghorn's wayward throw.

Rhule burrowed his way forward and offloaded to Sinzelle with Bill Mata's tackle causing the full-back to knock on just on the try line.

Stuart McInally then averted the danger for Edinburgh in the corner as Tawera Kerr-Barlow was pulled into touch.

But that only delayed the inevitable as Rhule was played in by Geoffrey Doumayrou for the opening try.

Edinburgh spent most of the first half defending but finally gained some territory in the run-up to the break and new Scotland cap Van der Walt knocked over their first three points.

A knock on by Mata gave Plisson another penalty near halfway but it was short.

Poor judgement cost Edinburgh early in the second half as Henry Pyrgos missed a high ball and Mark Bennett failed to retrieve, allowing Sinzelle to cross. Ihaia West had replaced Plisson at the break and missed the conversion attempt.

Edinburgh got over the line following a lineout with Kinghorn grounding off Chris Dean's grubber kick but Van der Walt's kick was wayward.

West's next penalty was also unsuccessful, meaning Cockerill's side stayed within seven points for their bonus point.

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill: "It was tough. We worked hard. We stayed in the battle and it was very, very tight right to the end. We weren't quite good enough to finish the job off.

"Second half, it was an easy five points for them and that seemed to be the difference at the end. Against a very good team, we were in the mix right to the death. They were probably good for their win, just about. I'm very optimistic. We'll get better."

Edinburgh: Kinghorn, Graham, Bennett, Dean, Van Der Merwe, Van Der Walt, Pyrgos, Schoeman, McInally, Nel, Toolis, Davidson, Ritchie, Watson, Mata.

Replacements: Johnstone for Dean (71), Groom for Pyrgos (65), Sutherland for Schoeman (59), Willemse for McInally (62), Berghan for Nel (56), Ferreira for Davidson (67), Bradbury for Mata (56). Not Used: Chamberlain.

La Rochelle: Sinzelle, Leyds, Doumayrou, Botia, Rhule, Plisson, Kerr Barlow, Wardi, Bourgarit, Atonio, Lavault, Skelton, Liebenberg, Gourdon, Alldritt.

Replacements: Alonso-Muoz for Botia (70), West for Plisson (41), Bosch for Bourgarit (56), Joly for Atonio (62), Tanguy for Skelton (56), Bourdeau for Liebenberg (68). Not Used: Aouf, Berjon.