Leinster v La Rochelle betting tips
Leinster to Win by 1-7 points
In the history of European rugby, few spectacles command the attention and reverence quite like the Heineken Champions Cup final.
Leinster, the seasoned warriors, a team full of International superstars, are out to claim to their fifth European title. Their opponents, the rising force of La Rochelle, led by a Cork man in Ronan O’Gara who is no stranger to the biggest days, in what should be an exhilarating encounter.
WHAT: European Rugby Champions Cup Final: Leinster v La Rochelle
WHEN: Saturday, May 20: 4.45pm
WHERE: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
HOW TO WATCH: RTE2/ BT Sport 2
In the bright sun of Marseille, it was the French outfit who overcame the boys in blue with a try as similar to a buzzer beater in game seven of the NBA finals when these two sides met in the 2022 final. It finished 24-21 in a game that captivated us from minute one.
The year previous, La Rochelle got the better of Leinster in the semi-final 32-23 in another game that could’ve gone either way. These two always bring their best when they meet and it makes for incredibly tight and competitive matchups.
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On this occasion, however, Leinster can finally overcome their French rivals, with last Saturday the wakeup call Ireland’s leading province needed. A tough, hard battle against rivals Munster in the United Rugby Championship semi-final which the men in red won in the dying embers. Had Leinster strolled home to a victory without fuss I would be a lot more sceptical about their chances this weekend.
However, it must be noted that Leinster have had their eye on this game from a few weeks out. That was made quite obvious by their team choice for the URC tie. The A-Team are back in for this weekend and they will be fully rested, buoyed with a motivation of revenge and determination.
Add in the factor of the home crowd in the Aviva and they have everything in their favour. On the other side, La Rochelle will not make it easy. O’Gara derailed the seemingly unstoppable Leinster express last year and he will be looking to do something similar this weekend.
As detailed above, I’m predicting a very close encounter with one score deciding the outcome and I feel that Leinster with that extra motivation and home advantage will just get over the line – but it will be tight!
Leinster v La Rochelle betting tips
Leinster to Win by 1-7 points
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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