Leinster V Stade Rochelais. Champions Cup Final. Sat May 20, 16:45. Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Teams:

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan (c), 4 Ross Molony, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 Charlie Ngatai

La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Gregory Alldritt (c), 7 Levani Botia, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Romain Sazy, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Wardi

Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Georges Henri Colombe, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Remi Bourdeau, 21 Ultan Dillane, 22 Thomas Berjon, 23 Jules Favre

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley (both England)

TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Previous Results

La Rochelle won 21-24 Leinster

La Rochelle won 32-23 Leinster

Match:

The two best teams in Europe meet once again in the final of the Champions cup, a year on from their last encounter which saw the French side crowed Champions.

Both teams have progressed since, with Leinster going undefeated all season until an away loss to the Bulls featuring an in-experienced Leinster side and a URC semi final exit against Munster.

LaRochelle have strengthened their squad and sit second in the top 14 with impressive home and away form and welcome the return of the fit again French International Jonathan Danty.

Synopsis:

Once again this comes down to a battle of size against skill. Last year Goliath bested David in a cagey affair with the French pack needing the final moments of the game to force over the Leinster line for a win. Leinster in blue and green have demonstrated an improved ability to whether the physical contest and challenge the fitness and mobility of bigger packs. LaRochelle however have further improved their set piece and play with greater cohesion through phases than they showed in the 21/22 season and Kerr-Barlow at 9 has been in sensational form.

Expectations:

Leinster at their best have been unplayable this season and much of this side achieved a grand slam in March, convincingly defeating a French team in a game for the ages. A similar performance tomorrow will see a similar result.

There is too little between the teams to be confident, but objectively Leinster should be confident given their performances against Toulouse and Leicester en-route to the final. A clinical performance from the home team will see them win with a score to spare. If they showcase Tournament final nerves and a lack of composure creeps into their game then yet another tight affair could go either way.

Leinster by 8.