La Rochelle fight back against Leinster to retain trophy in one of greatest Champions Cup finals

by 24britishtvMay 20, 2023, 8:01 p.m. 18

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the Champions Cup final between Leinster and La Rochelle, a repeat of last year's, but this time the Irish side has home advantage.

The 2022 decider was played in Marseille, with La Rochelle edging today's hosts 24-21 to claim their maiden title in this competition.

Jimmy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw and Jack Conan are the only Leinster players retained from last week's United Rugby Championship semi-final loss to Munster as coach Leo Cullen makes 12 changes.

Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is determined to help secure a different outcome against Ronan O'Gara's side this time around.

"Last year was obviously tough, having to go away to France and play a French team," said the 31-year-old.

"The La Rochelle fans were out in force that day, like they always are, so I'm sure there will be a few of them that show up to the Aviva Stadium no doubt.

"It was a pretty big carrot for us at the start of the year, the fact it was going to be here in the Aviva.

"We're looking forward to it, we've got the chance to be in front of our friends and family and hopefully a few home supporters."

Leinster can match Toulouse’s record haul of five trophy wins in the competition but must do without injured flyhalf Johnny Sexton and back row Will Connors. Their absence is offset, to an extent, by the return to fitness of Ireland international wing James Lowe and flanker Scott Penny.

Ross Byrne has stood in well for Sexton in recent weeks, but this will be a huge test of his ability to command a game from the number 10 jersey.

Cullen rested a number of players for last weekend’s surprise defeat to Munster, a gamble he felt he had to take.

“We knew we were taking a bit of a risk,” Cullen said. “We can’t dwell on it. They [La Rochelle] will be desperate to retain their trophy so it’s two teams going hard at it again.

“Hopefully it will be a great occasion. That’s what we have to look forward to now.”