The two sides played out an absolute cracker last season with La Rochelle edging a titanic clash 24-21. Will the French giants go back-to-back or will Leinster get revenge in their own backyard? Darry Worthington gives his opinion on that question, below.
Saturday 20 May
Leinster 27/100 | Draw 24/1 | La Rochelle 13/5
Leinster will have the bit between their teeth headed into this one having gone out of the United Rugby Championship title running courtesy of a snatch and grab effort from their domestic foes Munster, this past weekend. It’s not often that the powerhouses of Irish rugby go a season without adding to their trophy cabinet and they will be keen to ensure the 2022/23 campaign doesn’t end up being barren.
The hosts for Saturday had been in solid touch before their defeat to Munster beating the Sharks 35-8 in the URC quarters and Toulouse 41-22 in the Heineken Cup semis. They were actually pretty unlucky to go down to Munster with a 78th-minute Jack Crowley drop goal being the difference between the sides.
There has been some positive news on the injury front for Leinster with Ireland international James Lowe back in the mix having been involved in their wider training squad. He’s back in normal training this week and should be part of the match day squad for this one.
Champions Cup final week is underway. 💪#LEIvSR #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/VqZe1g4qym
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 15, 2023
La Rochelle head into this one off of a defeat as they went down 42-31 to a far from vintage Montpellier outfit this past weekend. They had been in solid touch prior to that defeat, beating Toulon 8-23 Exeter 47-28 in the Heineken Cup semis and Clermont 26-13 in another Top 14 fixture.
The visitors managed to rest a number of players for last weekend’s Top 14 loss to Montpellier so their big guns will be ready to fire here. They will also have Jonathon Danty, Yoann Tanga and Levani Botia at their disposal with the duo having made their comebacks from injury layoffs this past weekend.
I reckon it’ll be sweet revenge for the Irish Province this weekend. The Aviva will be rammed at that home crowd should get them over the line.
Leinster at (-7.5) 9/10.
