Champions Cup: A closer look at Leinster and La Rochelle’s budding rivalry
The Champions Cup is a tournament so elite and so prestigious that there are constantly rivalries being rewritten, remoulded and even born.
As teams go through their different cycles of development, all influenced by different factors such as financial backing and/or quality of staff and coaching, the sides that can stay in the hunt for titles are the teams that become the greatest of rivals.
Over the last couple of seasons, a newer rivalry has written its own history and it’s set for another mouth-watering instalment between the ever-polished and established European giants Leinster and La Rochelle, who are currently forcing their name into the mix as European royalty.
In a replay of last season’s final these two great sides meet again but this time in Dublin. Planet Rugby takes a closer look at the rivalry ahead of the weekend’s action.
Previous meetings
2020/21 semi-final
The two notable meetings between these sides have come in the last couple of seasons, with the semi-final in 2020/21 where Leinster flew out of the blocks with a solid first-half performance.
Ross Byrne kicked his side into a good position after an early Tadhg Furlong try to take the lead into the break.
However, everything would change in the second period as the brutal French side grabbed hold of the game, scoring 20 unanswered points to send the Irish side crashing out with a 32-23 scoreline.
2021/22 final
The teams would not have to wait long until they met in the Champions Cup again as they squared off in the final last season in what became an instant classic.
The two sides traded blows throughout in a fixture of Test match intensity. La Rochelle were dead set on using their physicality in the collision area and the breakdown, which cost them on the penalty count and Leinster obliged, scoring all their points off the tee.
However, the French side were rewarded for their approach with three tries including the ever-dramatic winner from Arthur Retiere that stole the title right from underneath Leinster’s noses, as La Rochelle won 24-21 to become European champions for the first time.
Ronan O’Gara factor
The La Rochelle boss is of course no stranger to Leinster having spent his entire playing career at Munster, with one of the chief goals to triumph over the Dublin side that is so often in the way of any silverware.
It is no coincidence that the rivalry between La Rochelle and Leinster has been born during his time as the head coach of La Rochelle. That can first be owed to the tactical and coaching nous he has brought to the club that has transcended the side into a European heavyweight.
What will also be an influence is his understanding of the Leinster ethos. Having played against them for years and alongside so many of the players at international level. That certainly plays a role in how well his team is set up.
Contrast of styles
What makes for a fascinating rivalry is the contrast of styles carried out by two sides absolutely littered with Test players from around the world.
Leinster are ultra organised and play their typical multi-phase attack where more often than not every player is where they need to be. When the Irish side are at their best and purring on attack the key is ruck speed.
This is where the match-up gets intriguing as La Rochelle are masters of the breakdown as Exeter Chiefs learnt in the semi-final.
Many would say that slowing the breakdown is step one. Outside of that is the sheer physicality of La Rochelle with monstrous stars trucking with ball in hand all game long.
Breakdown feud
As if the rivalry did not need any more spice the rugby gods have delivered, adding more drama through the comments of former Leinster hooker James Tracy.
Speaking on an episode of Off The Ball, the Leinsterman revealed that he felt La Rochelle have been “pushing the boundaries” at the breakdown and felt they have been lucky to get away with as much as they have.
O’Gara joined the same podcast after that episode and was played the clip of Tracy discussing the La Rochelle approach to the breakdown.
The coach immediately looked frustrated and responded, “Wow, that’s interesting. I never heard that.
“Is James Tracy part of the Leinster set-up? He’s retired within this season, he’s obviously in the set-up. He’s a family member.
“If a guy gets injured he remains part of that set-up until the end of that season and you’re presented with something.
“It’s interesting. I’m wondering if it’s a plant on Leinster’s behalf or James Tracy embarking on a new career, that’s the first thing that strikes me because in terms of the breakdown, he has an opinion about stopping Leinster.
“We could turn it to ‘how do you stop La Rochelle?’ it depends on how you frame the question, how do you see it.
“It will become a little bit spicy in the build-up to the game, certain camps put a huge emphasis on work behind the scenes with referees but my 10 years has taught me to control what we can control, put your energy into that and the better team will win on the day.
“All good teams push the boundaries, there’s no doubt about that.”
🗣 'My 10 years has taught me to try and control the things we can control'
🏉 Ronan O'Gara gave his response to James Tracy claiming on #OTBAM recently that La Rochelle push the boundaries in terms of staying legal at the breakdown@GilletteUK | #EffortlessFlow pic.twitter.com/vy7VvaLEM8
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) May 12, 2023
The build-up for the biggest game in club rugby continues this week with Leinster and La Rochelle slogging it out in Dublin this weekend for the title of Europe’s best.
