History repeats itself as vengeance-seeking Leinster welcome defending champions La Rochelle to the Aviva Stadium for the Champions Cup Final this Saturday. We have all the info on how to catch this epic Leinster v La Rochelle showdown right here.
When is Leinster v La Rochelle?
Leinster welcome La Rochelle to the Aviva Stadium at 16:45 this Saturday the 20th of May.
How to watch Leinster v La Rochelle
Leinster v La Rochelle will be broadcast live on RTE 2 with coverage starting at 16:00 ahead of kick-off at 16:45.
28 May 2022; Caelan Doris of Leinster is tackled by Pierre Bourgarit, left, and Wiaan Liebenberg of La Rochelle during the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Form Guide
Leinster and La Rochelle have spent the last three years trading blows at the pinnacle of European rugby. Leinster lost out to Ronan O'Gara's side by 11 points in the semi-final two years ago, before getting the opportunity to right that wrong in the final last year. However, a late La Rochelle try once again to crush that dream. Now Leinster welcome the French side to the Aviva where they look to land their own killer blow.
While Leinster come into this game off the back of a tough URC semi-final loss to Munster, their European form has been perfect. They're unbeaten in the competition and frankly relatively unchallenged. They beat defending premiership champions Leicester Tigers 55-24 in the quarter-finals, before taking on Toulouse in the semi-final where even the might of Antoine Dupont did little to stop Leinster, who ran away 41-22 winner.
Just like Leinster, La Rochelle are also unbeaten. However, they haven't cruised through their games like some would've expected. Ulster pushed them close twice in the pool stages, while the Gloucester side that Leinster thrashed in the pool stages held O'Gara's men to three in the round of sixteen. However, they found form in the quarters and beat both Saracens and Exeter in cruise control to set up the final.
With the ease at which they've won every game, Leinster are the favourites on paper. However, La Rochelle have proved to be a bogey team for them and in practice very little separates these two unbeaten sides. This Leinster v La Rochelle final should be a heavyweight showdown for the ages.
Team News
Leinster
Leo Cullen has held nothing back and his he prepares Leinster's best for Battle this Saturday. Cullen's team is much changed from Leinster's defeat against Munster last weekend, however, has just two changes from Leinster's European semi-final win over Toulouse.
James Lowe returns to the starting lineup at eleven, replacing Jordan Larmour who completely misses out on inclusion, while Robbie Henshaw comes back in place of Charlie Ngatai at inside centre.
Jamison Gibson-Park starts at nine alongside Ross Byrne at ten, while James Ryan is set to captain the team out. A team that resembles more of an international rugby side than a mere club team.
📥 | 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒!
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face @staderochelais in tomorrow's @ChampionsCup Final!#LEIvSR #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/NH2br7th4D— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 19, 2023
La Rochelle
While Leo Cullen's team may be strong, Ronan O'Gara's side is a force to be reckoned with as well. O'Gara has made just two changes as well with former Connacht and Irish international forward Ultan Dillane dropping out of the starting fifteen for Paul Boudehent, who starts at blindside flanker. While Jonathan Danty comes into the centre in place of Jules Favre.
That's all the information you need on how to watch Leinster v La Rochelle this Saturday.
SEE ALSO: Analysis: Five Critical Areas That Will Decide The Champions Cup Final
