ROCH’ & ROLL ATMOSPHERE
LEINSTER V LA ROCHELLE Ryan ready to enter lion’s den to take on Leinster
LA ROCHELLE will be at fullstrength for the Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster at the Aviva this Saturday.
Ronan O’Gara’s French squad opted not to return to their Bay of Biscay base following their game with Stormers but instead flew Cape TownJohannesburg-Paris-Cork in order to base themselves at Fota Island ahead of travelling to Dublin later in the week.
The good news for the European champions is that both France internationals Jonathan Danty and Brice Dulin 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.
Support
Thurles’s finest admitted with tongue in cheek there might be some from the Brave and the Faithful who will adopt them this week and a Rebel Yell or two!
“We’re taking all the support we can this week!” he said, “the last time we played Leinster at the Aviva, the atmosphere was just 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.
Confidence
That’s not least on the back of three consecutive knock-out wins over the Blues; in the 2021 semi-final in La Rochelle, the 2022 final in Marseille and the 2023 final at the Aviva.
“It gives you a lot of confidence. The players also did something very well in Cape Town, the 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.
“For sure, we will have to start the game much better on Saturday 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, whereas before the World Cup, the internationals were obviously absent.”
Leinster are aware that a fullstrength line-up will have the ability to make life difficult on Saturday evening, not least as they will have been stung by the 16-9 defeat to the Blues last December at their own Stade Marcel Deflandre.
Notes Jaques Nienaber: “If you look at the spine of their team, if you look at the line-out calling locks or Will Skelton there who is an international.
“If you look at No.8 Greg Alldritt, whose an international, No.9 Tawwera Kerr-Barlow is an international, not playing currently but who was an exceptional New Zealand international, if you look at No.12 Jonathan Danty, he’s an international and No.15 Brice Dulin as well.
“They have that experience across the spine, the big decision makers of their team, they’ve got international experience so they didn’t panic, they know what they should do, and eventually it got them over the line.
“The Stormers brought exactly that, a good plan, they also have internationals in all those positions and then, like I said, at the end of the day what’s the difference between the two games between them?
“It’s one kick at the end, so sometimes you bring intensity, aggression and a great plan and they bring the same and then you need luck.”
Consecutive
There is a lot at stake this Saturday as Leinster look to add a muchcoveted fifth star to their shirt while La Rochelle are looking to take their place in the history books as only the second side to record three consecutive Champions Cup titles — only previously achieved by Toulon 201315.