Previewing the Champions Cup quarter-final clash,
It’s Leinster against La Rochelle,
To be held on Saturday, at the Aviva Stadium,
The game kicks off at 5.30pm, and will be telecast on RTÉ and TNT Sport.
The thrilling encounter, amongst others in the Champions Cup quarter-finals, stands out for its potential of pulling in a crowd of 50,000 this week. That captured the significance of the match.
The unexpected rivalry that blossomed in the brief span of four years between Leinster and La Rochelle mirrors some of the most competitive enmities in the tournament’s 28-year old history. They wrote history last May, by being the final teams for consecutive two years.
As they head into their fourth consecutive season competing in the knock-out stages, the stakes are high. Their previous clashes include a semi-final impacted by the global pandemic held at Stade Deflandre devoid of audience, a finale in Marseille, and last May’s endgame.
Leinster was deeply disheartened by the last fall, but with Jacques Nienaber joining the team, the rise of Joe McCarthy, and the 16-9 victory against La Rochelle, despite a rainstorm last December, have refuelled their hopes to avenge their past three years’ losses and achieve their coveted fifth star.
The numerous altercations on the field, and beyond, have ignited some bitterness between the two. Ronan O’Gara, enjoying his role as the instigator, after the consecutive champions demonstrated their survival skills in Cape Town, had them fir off to his home city for the week.
From reducing travel time to allowing for extended team bonding, it served two-fold purposes. La Rochelle, under the influence of Cork’s friendliness towards one of their own (and foes Munster’s dislike towards Leinster?), practiced at Temple Hill, his old Constitution stomping ground. They will operate an offensive from Leeside to Dublin. Quite audacious and clever.
So, it’s not merely a battle. This is, it appears, a full-blown civil conflict.
In the tranquillity preceding the game at the desolate Aviva during Friday’s captain’s runs, Leo Cullen, with a smirk on his face, remarked on the rivalry indicating there’s a noticeable surge of support emanating from Cork leaning towards the mafia and La Rochelle, a situation he finds amusing and vital for sports, expressing his contentment at being part of it.
Cullen further articulated, disappointingly, on the irony of being the solitary Irish team in the tournament, and the unrealistic expectation for the entire Irish crowd to rally behind them. However, reality affirms that they are the last Irish province standing.
Nevertheless, there was an ensuing discourse sparked by Cullen regarding the disparities found within the varying patterns in Ireland compared to the top 14, characterized by their affluent owners and the gigantic challenge staring Leinster straight in the face.
Cullen showed a slight surprise when queried about Peter O’Mahony’s renewed contract, stating that O’Gara would succeed him in the Aviva media room. “They were hosted in Cork Con this week. Donal Lenihan organised a few engagements for them this week, so maybe direct your queries at them,” he added.
Undeniably, the atmosphere reeks of a brewing conflict. However, O’Gara’s transition to Cork was also purposed to stimulate their season. “Though the weather was undesirable, the welcome extended by Con was superb and the same from Fota too,” he narrated. There was a mingling session with the locals, which he found uniquely refreshing and affirming of his significance to them, something he found highly rewarding.
“Our squad has not been functioning as harmoniously as we would desire,” O’Gara admitted, referring specifically to his backs. “We are however optimistic of skipping a few steps and reawakening a good atmosphere within the team by showing up in an unreal stadium packed with enthusiastic fans and an immaculate pitch to create a reminiscent experience of last May’s beautiful memories,” he added.
O’Gara went on to compare the game to a Test match and as Uini Atonio subtly warned, “If Leinster desires to secure that trophy, they must first pass through us.”
The previous week witnessed a stunning recovery game with the team recovering from a 16-0 deficit, showcasing their sheer mental resilience and their powerful short-range game, one of the major concerns for Leinster. Thus, maintaining discipline will possibly be key in the central one-third of the contest.
La Rochelle’s frontline has been weakened due to the absence of loosehead Reda Wardi, hooker Pierre Bourgarit and Georges Henri Colombe, remembered for his contribution of a decisive try off the bench earlier in May. However, the signing of Wallabies’ hooker Tolu Latu and the presence of Louis Penverne and Alexandre Kaddourim, winners of the under-20 World Cup, adds strength to their line-up.
The team has further been hit by the injury to fullback Brice Dulin, who O’Gara described as a pillar of support. This has led to Teddy Thomas reinstatement and Dillyn Leyds move to fullback. With Nienaber’s influence evident in the selection process for Leinster, Jason Jenkins has been recalled to face-off with Leinster’s nightmare, Will Skelton, along with Will Connors.
“Cullen has appreciated Connors as the finest chop tackler he has experienced, a reputation he earned during his previous Champions Cup,” he explained. Ross Molony and Josh van der Flier were relegated to a reshuffled 6-2 bench with Michael Milne favoured over Cian Healy. Luke McGrath also makes a comeback, with Ben Murphy and Harry Byrne getting a miss.
Despite missing James Ryan, whose exit at the 30 minute mark transformed the game last May, and Garry Ringrose, they can take comfort from their December victory. Nine of Leinster’s players and 14 from the 23 squad were part of Ireland’s triumphant 38-17 victory at Marseille. Agents like these, along with home ground advantage and the Nienaber influence, may encourage another monumental duel in favour of Leinster.
The starting line-up for Leinster includes Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne and James Lowe, with Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park helming the halves. The forwards pack constitutes Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Will Connors and Caelan Doris, who is also the captain. The substitutes consist of Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley and Josh van der Flier.
The Stade Rochelais squad features Dillyn Leyds, Jack Nowell, UJ Seuteni, Jonathan Danty and Teddy Thomas in the backline, while Antoine Hastoy and Tawera Kerr-Barlow are at fly-half and scrum-half. The pack involves Louis Penverne, Tolu Latu, Uini Atonio, Ultan Dillane, Will Skelton, Judicael Cancoriet, Levani Botia and captain Grégory Alldritt. The bench is filled with Quentin Lespiaucq, Alexandre Kaddouri, Joel Sclavi, Thomas Lavault, Paul Boudehent, Yoan Tanga, Teddy Iribaren and Ihaia West.
The match is officiated by RFU’s Karl Dickson. The forecast favours Leinster for the win.