2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – La Rochelle vs Sale Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is La Rochelle vs Sale taking place? Saturday 10th April, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is La Rochelle vs Sale taking place? Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
Where can I get tickets for La Rochelle vs Sale? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is La Rochelle vs Sale on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream La Rochelle vs Sale? 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 Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Wiaan Liebenberg, 21 Thomas Berjon, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Pierre Aguillon
Sale Sharks: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Josh Beaumont (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 James Phillips, 20 Cameron Neild, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Luke James
THE PREDICTION
La Rochelle were able to bring Premiership strugglers Gloucester straight back to Earth with a bang by beating them 16-27 at home just a week after Gloucester shocked Exeter Chiefs. They host Sale in the quarter-finals for what should be a really intriguing clash of cultures with travelling Sale proving to be better against the tougher teams this season. They lived up to expectations by thrashing Scarlets 14-57 last Sunday but their most impressive wins in recent months have come over the likes of Exeter Chiefs and Premiership leaders Bristol 13-20 away from home. With both sides well capable of winning this one, home advantage does just edge this result towards the hosts who are chasing Toulouse at the top of the Top 14. It should be closer than expected though, and so La Rochelle to cover this match by -3 seems a reasonable outcome here.
