Leinster vs Stade Rochelais Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions Cup

Prediction published on 18/05/2023, 14:40  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 18/05/2023 at 16:59 in Champions Cup Predictions

The grand final of the European Rugby Champions Cup will be contested between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It’s a fitting end to what’s been an exhilarating tournament as the two sides that topped their respective pools prepare to battle for the title. Leinster are unbeaten in this tournament to date and ended the group stages with 20 points, the highest points tally of any side in the tournament this year. In the quarter-final, Leinster breezed past Leicester 55-24, scoring seven tries along the way while conceding just two. The side from Ireland then went on to overcome the five-time champions, Toulouse, in the semi-final, beating them 41-22 at the end of last month. Leinster have not beaten this opposition in their last two attempts, with the most recent loss coming in last year’s final. However, with the form they’ve shown in this tournament to date and in front of their home fans, Leinster will come into this one full-off belief that they can get their revenge here and lift the trophy for the fifth time in the history of this competition.  

However, standing in their way are the defending champions La Rochelle. The French outfit are also unbeaten in this tournament and topped Pool B with 18 points, including two bonus points in their four group matches. La Rochelle were drawn against Saracens in the quarter-final and came out with a convincing 24-10 win. However, arguably their best performance of the tournament came in the semi-final, where they beat Exeter 47-28, scoring seven tries in the process. La Rochelle earned their first-ever European Rugby Champions Cup title in last year’s final against this opponent with a 79th-minute winning try by Arthur Retiere in front of their adoring fans. This time around, though, they will need to try and stop the side from Ireland in their backyard, which is going to take an almighty effort.