CHAMPIONS AT FULL STRENGTH

LA ROCHELLE will be at full strength for the Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster.

The French squad opted not to return to their Bay of Biscay base following their game with Stormers. Instead they flew Cape Town-johannesburg-paris-cork to base themselves at Fota Island ahead of travelling to Dublin.

The good news for them is that both France internationals Jonathan Danty and Brice Dulin (inset) have recovered from their respective knocks picked up against Stormers and trained yesterday – as did Teddy Thomas who is returning from injury.

Former Munster and Ireland second row Donnacha Ryan is an assistant coach at La

Rochelle and was clearly enjoying the change of scenery down by the Lee.

Thurles’ finest admitted with tongue in cheek there might be some from the Brave and the Faithful who will adopt them this week. “We’re taking all the support we can this week,” he said, “the last time we played

Leinster at the Aviva, the atmosphere was huge. We know that Munster fans are similar to those of La Rochelle, there is a connection with the team, they are passionate.”

La Rochelle have plenty of ground for optimism ahead of Saturday’s clash even if the bookies have pitched their chances as high as 11/4.

That’s not least on the back of three wins over the Blues in the 2021 semi-final in La Rochelle, 2022 final in Marseille and 2023 final in Dublin. Ryan added: “It gives you a lot of confidence. The players also did something very well in Cape Town, Stormers had never lost at home to a European team in the Champions Cup.

“We were 16-0 down at half-time but the attitude of the players and the bench was positive. But you don’t want to put yourself in this kind of situation all the time.

“We will have to start the game much better against Leinster. At least for the first time since the start of the season, everyone is available and we have been able to become more cohesive.”