Leinster vs La Rochelle
It’s the Champions Cup final and the two best teams in Europe are certainly in the final but Leinster come into the match as the favourites particularly because La Rochelle have lost their two All Blacks Victor Vito and Tawera Kerr-Barlow to injury. Leinster have no much problems and are at full strength for this match. The French team may have the slight advantage as the final is in France but they will still need to play the game of their lives if they are to avoid a second straight finals defeat. Leinster have an almost complete Irish national team bar a few players so the final is theirs to lose.
TIP: La Rochelle do however welcome back powerhouse Wallaby lock Will Skelton back for this match and his physicality will be needed if they are to dominate the Leinster pack. La Rochelle may have the advantage at scrum time but like Leinster they play an expansive game that involves great interplay between backs and forwards. The bookies have Leinster as favourites and I also back them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.25, Playabets 1.26 and Sunbet 1.28
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Leinster vs La Rochelle
- The only previous meeting between the sides was won by La Rochelle 32-23.
Latest results for both teams
Leinster won their last match 35-25 against Munster while La Rochelle beat St. Francais 32-13 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Both teams have exciting backs especially in the centers where there are all international pairings. Leinster will do well to stop Jonathan Danty as he provides the impetus to most of the French teams attacks. If Leinster can match their oppositions power in the forwards then they will be crowned champions after 80 minutes. The Irish team have arguably the best flyhalf in the game in Johnny Sexton and if he is given time to control the game then there is no chance of La Rochelle causing an upset. In these tense finals goal kicking is an important factor and Leinster have a big advantage as Ihaia West is a very inaccurate kicker. I am predicting a Leinster win by under 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Leinster
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
La Rochelle
15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jérémy Sinzelle, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Thomas Berjon, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 7 Matthias Haddad, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Dany Priso
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Leinster victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.25
Playabets 1.26
Sunbet 1.28
Odds comparison on the La Rochelle handicap :
The complete odds on the La Rochelle handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+9.5) 1.91
Sunbet (+9.5) 1.89
Playabets (+9.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
Both teams have used their rolling maul to great effect in this competition but in the final it will be more important to defend the maul. There are many great head to head match ups but the battle between the two sets of wingers is already starting to look like one of the highlights of the match. There are poor odds on the Leinster outright therefore I suggest La Rochelle on the generous handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+9.5) 1.95, Sunbet (+9.5) 1.92 and Playabets (+9.5) 1.90
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
