Leinster v La Rochelle: Five key head-to-heads to watch in the Champions Cup final
For the second year running Leinster face La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final, trying to avenge their last minute loss against the French giants in 2022.
Ahead of the mouth-watering showdown at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, we discuss the main head-to-head battles that will be worth the entrance fee alone.
James Lowe v Raymond Rhule
These two southern hemisphere speedsters are absolutely thriving up north and both players offer an incredible attacking threat, not only with ball in hand but with exquisite footballing skills with the boot.
Lowe has quietly become one of the world’s finest wing three quarters, a man who goes looking for work in an industrious way, happy to energise those around him with powerful and unpredictable carries and possessing a left boot that is the envy of many a professional fly-half.
Rhule makes a habit of starring in the latter stages of EPCR tournaments and was in compelling form in the semi-final against Exeter Chiefs, crossing for a brace as his team dismantled the Premiership club. His vision to hit grubbers inside and outside onrushing defenders is a feature of his rounded game and with pace to burn, this match-up is as close as it gets. However, we think Lowe might just have the edge in defence and work-rate and his contribution will be crucial if Leinster are to succeed.
Jamison Gibson-Park v Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Even allowing for Antoine Dupont’s ongoing brilliance, these two exceptional half-backs are the form players of the season for both of their clubs. The La Rochelle man was simply magnificent in the semi-final, ripping Exeter to shreds around the fringes and there’s a growing rumour Eddie Jones may consider the Aussie-born Kiwi for the Wallabies in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
If a British and Irish Lions side was selected tomorrow, there’s little doubt that Gibson-Park would be wearing the nine shirt. He might not quite have the abrasion of Kerr-Barlow but his pace of pass is simply exceptional and his box kicking game rivals that of the great Dupont himself.
Again, a head-to-head for the purists, the battle of the game, one with totally contrasting styles but undoubtedly a crucial tussle for both men that’s simply too close to call.
🏆 The calm before the #HeinekenChampionsCup storm tomorrow!
📷 @jameswhile in Dublin. pic.twitter.com/Hdv5fk6CnX
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 19, 2023
Jack Conan v Gregory Alldritt
Leinster‘s choosing of Conan as a starter over Caelan Doris (who moves to blindside) is a sure sign that they are aware that they need to start hot against the massive physicality of the Black and Yellows. Conan has carried 70 times so far in the competition but has played some 170 minutes less than Alldritt, who tops the carry chart with 112 thundering rumbles into contact.
Three tries to two again favour Alldritt, but adjusted for game time it shows us yet again we’re talking about two of the finest exponents of number eight play around. But we feel that Alldritt’s complete skill-set offers just that little more than that of Conan – with the La Rochelle man better over the ball and a master of offload into contact.
This is a clear area of superiority for the Frenchmen, but Conan is a man for the big occasion and also Leinster have the advantage of Ryan Baird as a support act, allowing Doris to move to eight. Whatever happens, Leinster need to nullify Alldritt if they’re to succeed.
Josh van der Flier v Levani Botia
Another back-row match-up and two of the finest opensides in the sport meet in direct opposition, offering the watchers a complete attacking skill-set and solidity in defence.
It’s running with the ball in hand that defines this pair – Van der Flier the ultimate support player, able to run on the shoulder of a carrier with the skill and pace to finish off Leinster’s brilliant attacking moves. Botia is perhaps more of a bustling power merchant, but one who possesses a brilliant step off his left foot and cruiserweight speed once he gets into space.
With Van der Flier a key component of Leinster’s rush defence and topping the tackle charts for his club, it might be that Botia just gives La Rochelle an edge in the jackal and steal on the floor should Leinster get isolated. It’s a tough battle to call and we believe there’s absolutely nothing to choose between these two masters of the openside art.
Can Will Skelton & La Rochelle crash the Leinster party again?
Or will it be 5 stars & a first Heineken Cup trophy lift at home for Leo Cullen’s side? pic.twitter.com/i6LQFvP0mp
— BallCarrier (@BallCarrier_) May 19, 2023
James Ryan v Will Skelton
We’ll save the biggest until last – and massive it is! Two players well over 2.03m and 120kgs have been the bludgeoning physicality in both of their team’s campaigns. Ryan has stepped up to stratospheric levels this season and is easily the best lock in the home unions, offering peerless lineout ball, real bite in his carrying work and emerging as a key leader for both Ireland and Leinster.
By contrast, Skelton might not quite have the athleticism of Ryan but he is the La Rochelle enforcer, the tough guy who loves confrontation and spends his 80 minutes playing to the edge of the law. His massive 145kg bulk behind Uini Atonio makes the Black and Yellow scrum almost unmovable and he will want to impose his edgy brutality from the first moment of the game.
However, that edginess might be the very weakness that separates these two locking behemoths – in a game likely to be a one-score match from start to finish. Discipline is all and our view is that Ryan’s greater control might just give Leinster an edge when it comes to penalty count, a key consideration in a game as close as this.
