It was fourth time lucky for Leinster this afternoon as they finally got a win over bitter rivals La Rochelle, having lost to them by the finest of margins in the last two Champions Cup finals, and in the semis three years ago.
The awful weather in France made for a scrappy and error strewn game as Leinster ran out 16-9 victors, in a match that was defined by Leinster's defensive effort and La Rochelle's cynicism.
Leinster Take Down La Rochelle With Heroic Defensive Shift
La Rochelle managed to draw first blood with a penalty, but Leinster responded with the only try of the game, through Jordan Larmour, after Joe McCarthy and Jonathan Danty had been sin binned for scrapping.
Harry Byrne, in the biggest start of his career, was having a fine game until he was forced off with an injury just on the stroke of half-time, before substitute Ciarán Frawley nailed a penalty kick, with his first kick of the game, to give Leinster a 10-6 lead at the break.
La Rochelle had most of the territory in the second 40, but incredible Leinster defence and their dismantling of their opponents line out helped keep the home side try less.
The match was then decided by an outrageous 60 metre penalty from Frawley before the ref blew for full-time.
READ HERE: 'It Just Feels As Though Leinster Are Due A Good Performance'
The dark arts are alive & well in this game #SRvLEI #rugby pic.twitter.com/G4UoxjuV3e
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) December 10, 2023
Double yellow 🟨
Jonathan Danty and Joe McCarthy will both spend 10 on the sidelines for this incident.#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/ZT4T4cLn23
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 10, 2023
From the off, the game was played with a niggle and ferociousness usually set aside for test matches, and referee Matthew Carley struggled at times to control the game, and in particular La Rochelle.
Carley aimed to lay down a marker early with the binning of McCarthy and Danty, but La Rochelle would have been pleased with that outcome given that they initiated the scrap.
Many on social media were calling out the French side for cynicism or 'dark arts' as some put it, with Will Skelton one of the main culprits as his side got away with a number of ruck time infringements.
They were also fortunate not to receive another card after Carley had warned them numerous times not to be shaking their hands at him in an attempt to get Leinster players carded and to win penalties.
For me, that's one of Leinsters most impressive wins in recent memory.
Conditions, the physicality, away from home, La Rochelle at their cynical best.
To come away with the win is huge. Tip of the cap. #LARvLEI
— Master Of None Podcast (@MasterOfNonePod) December 10, 2023
La Rochelle blessed not to have a man binned for another cynical offence so close to their own line.
Maybe the scrap meant the ref forgot about it. Very lucky to get away with it.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) December 10, 2023
La Rochelle with the most crooked lineout you’ll ever see followed by the most blatant crossing and yet it ends up with a penalty against Leinster on the next phase
— kevin (@KevBeirne) December 10, 2023
SEE ALSO: Michael Owen Points Out Big Issue With Bruno Fernandes After Petulant Yellow Card
