2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – La Rochelle vs Leinster Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is La Rochelle vs Leinster taking place? Sunday 2nd May, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is La Rochelle vs Leinster taking place? Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
Where can I get tickets for La Rochelle vs Leinster? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is La Rochelle vs Leinster on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream La Rochelle vs Leinster? 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 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Grégory Alldritt, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Romain Sazy (c), 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Kevin Gourdon, 21 Arthur Retiere, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Pierre Aguillon
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath (c), 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Scott Fardy, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Rowan Osborne, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 Rory O’Loughlin
THE PREDICTION
After a mini-blip in their domestic season saw them fall away from Toulouse in the Top 14, La Rochellle have gone on a four-match winning streak in league and cup to bring themselves right back in contention for both competitions. This looks a mouth-watering tie between the French giants and Pro14 champions Leinster, who beat the reigning Champions Cup champions Exeter Chiefs to reach this stage. Leinster were thrashed in the Rainbow Cup last Saturday by a vengeful Munster, this season’s Pro14 Play-Off final runners-up, but they were missing some key players that look set to return for this clash. This should be the Rugby Union match of the weekend and the result looks too close to call in many aspects. La Rochelle’s excellent defensive record will be tested but take Leinster to win outright here away from home.
