Champions Cup Final – Leinster vs La Rochelle
28 May @ 17:45
Leinster go into the Champions Cup Final as strong favourites, on the back of their dominant performance in the semi-final against Toulouse, thumping the defending champions in Dublin. They have been imperious this season, both in Europe and in the URC, with their much-vaunted squad depth on show.
The Irish side were bullied last year by their opponents in the final but their game has gone to a new level this season and are pretty much an international test side. One could be forgiven for thinking that the playing of Ireland’s Call before the match would be appropriate!
Their ruck speed is the one feature which has improved out of sight since last season and the coming of age of scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park has been instrumental in their success.
The battle up front is sure to be brutal, with La Rochelle’s monstrous pack squaring up to an all-Ireland front row. The return of James Ryan after his concussion against England has also made a huge difference in the Leinster pack, especially at the lineout. The set piece will be crucial for both sides. Caelan Doris has been the standout player this season, making the Ireland 6 shirt his own and Josh van der Flier has been just as impressive, carrying for days.
Leinster have few, if any weaknesses, with a pack that can dominate in the set piece and a dazzling backline, with James Lowe almost unstoppable on the wing. These are the games that Johnny Sexton has stayed playing for and his calmness could be crucial, especially considering how poorly his opposite number on Saturday, Ihaia West, kicked in the semi-final.
La Rochelle are in their second consecutive Champions Cup Final and will be desperate to go one better than last year when they finished runners up to Toulouse in Europe and in the Top 14.
It is not difficult to know where La Rochelle will attack, with their massive pack dominant in Europe this season. Uini Atonio anchors their scrum and their loose trio carry all day long, making metres every time. Greg Alldritt has been in outstanding form, and he could be the player to separate the two teams, especially in his battle with British Lion Jack Conan. In fact, the contest between the loose forwards could determine the outcome, considering their influence on both sides’ play.
La Rochelle have an experienced backline, and a massive midfield to test any combination. If they can get parity up front, their tricky backline could cause havoc against a Leinster side who have not really tested often enough this season. La Rochelle’s two Boks, Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule, are key to La Rochelle’s play and are a massive counter attacking threat.
The weather may well play a role, with temperatures expecting to be in the high 20s at kick off and to last throughout the game. If La Rochelle can exploit the heat in the first 20 minutes, they may be able to build a foundation from which to control the game in the second half. Leinster look to play an up-tempo game but the heat may stifle them, not to mention the humidity which could make the ball difficult to control.
This is going to be some game, and while Leinster are heavily favoured, La Rochelle will believe they can cause an upset and finally put a star on their jerseys, as they try and prevent Leinster adding a fifth to theirs.
Leinster by 10.