2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup Final – La Rochelle vs Toulouse Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is La Rochelle vs Toulouse taking place? Saturday 22nd May, 2021 – 16:45 (UK)
Where is La Rochelle vs Toulouse taking place? Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham
Where can I get tickets for La Rochelle vs Toulouse? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is La Rochelle vs Toulouse on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream La Rochelle vs Toulouse? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12 Levani Botia, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 6 Grégory Alldritt, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Romain Sazy (c), 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Wiaan Liebenberg, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Arthur Retiere, 23 Jules Plisson
Toulouse: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Juan Cruz Mallía, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Francois Cros, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Marchand, 17 Clément Castets, 18 David Ainu’u, 19 Joe Tekori, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Selevasio Tolofua, 22 Baptiste Germain, 23 Thomas Ramos
THE PREDICTION
This should be a hugely entertaining clash in the Champions Cup final between the two Top 14 sides vying it out for the top of their domestic table all season long. With two games to go in the Top 14 there is just one point separating Toulouse in first place with La Rochelle in second and this cup final looks an excellent precursor to what may come about in the play-off finals later. Whilst winning streaks and domestic form will mean little in this huge crunch match on neutral turf at Twickenham, La Rochelle just snapped a two-match losing run last Saturday whilst Toulouse are riding a two-match losing streak after two poor losses away at Toulon and at home to Bayonne on Saturday. Up to 10,000 fans will be allowed in to watch this final and whilst there may be more neutrals than fans of either side the atmosphere and occasion should blow their current domestic stuttering out of the water. Toulouse have beaten La Rochelle home and away this season and that looks as good as any reason to back them to lift the Champions Cup trophy for the first time since 2010.
