Leinster vs La Rochelle Predictions - Leinster to progress to Champions Cup semi-final

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 12 Apr 2024

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Brad Newcomb 12 Apr 2024

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Leinster vs La Rochelle predictions for Saturday’s European Champions Cup quarter-final
Visitors have won the Champions Cup in the last 2 years
Can La Rochelle pull off another upset against Leinster?

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Leinster vs La Rochelle predictions for Saturday’s European Champions Cup quarter-final (Getty Images)

Leinster vs La Rochelle Predictions

This is a repeat of the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Champions Cup finals, both of which were won by La Rochelle. However, Leinster are at home and don’t often lose in front of their own fans.

Leinster vs La Rochelle Predictions
Head to Head
Leinster Form
Leinster Injuries & Team News
La Rochelle Form
La Rochelle Injuries & Team News

Given the form of the two sides, I am backing Leinster to see this one out by more than eight points.

Leinster have won their last 7 matches.
Leinster have won their last 4 home matches.
La Rochelle have won the last 2 Champions Cup finals against Leinster.
La Rochelle have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
La Rochelle have lost 4 of their last 5 away matches.

Head to Head

La Rochelle have won the last two European Champions Cup finals against Leinster.

Leinster Form

Leinster are in flying form as usual come this stage of the season. They remain the favourites to win the tournament, although that has been the case in the last two years when they lost the final.

The Irish giants have won their last seven matches with their last defeat coming on New Years Day at Ulster by a point. Prior to beating Leicester Tigers 36-22 at home last weekend, Leinster thrashed the Bulls 47-14 at home and saw off Zebre 31-7 away.

Leinster Injuries & Team News

Leinster tend to rotate their side a lot throughout the season, but the Champions Cup is a priority for them this year. They have selected a full-strength side with plenty of internationals.

La Rochelle Form

La Rochelle have not been their normal self this season and may feel somewhat relieved that they are still in the Champions Cup. However, that said, their form has improved of late, and the two-time defending champions will not stand back this weekend.

In four of their last five games in all competitions, La Rochelle have been victorious. Last week, to reach the quarter-final, they beat the Stormers in Cape Town 22-21. It was a cracking affair and could have been very different had the Stormers converted a last-minute kick.

Prior that that, La Rochelle beat Clermont and Stade Francais at home, lost away to Bayonne by a point and beat Oyonnax at home.

La Rochelle Injuries & Team News

Ronan O’ Gara has his work cut out this weekend when they play at Leinster. While the team has won two straight finals against the Irish side, they were both at neutral venues.

Verdict

Leinster v La Rochelle

I am backing Leinster at home to cover the -8 handicap.

Leinster -8

Handicap

@-109.89 - 3 Units

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