La Rochelle v Leinster: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The top two sides in Pool 2 of the European Rugby Champions Cup meet at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Sunday, when leaders La Rochelle take on in-form Leinster.

Leinster have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, winning all nine United Rugby Championship matches to sit top of the pile, while they have also triumphed in both European assignments.

It has been the same story for La Rochelle when it comes to the Champions Cup - the French outfit top courtesy of their points difference being one better than Leinster's - but Ronan O'Gara's side have lacked that same consistency in the Top 14 with eight wins and six defeats.

La Rochelle v Leinster betting tips and predictions

Leinster -6 Handicap - 10/11

Leinster are four-time Champions Cup winners, a record bettered only by Toulouse, but the Irish side could have been sitting top of the all-time standings had things gone differently over the past three seasons.

The Dublin-based outfit have lost in the last three finals, going down to La Rochelle in 2022 and 2023 before suffering a nine-point defeat to Toulouse in 2024, but they have made a strong start to this edition and are fancied to go all the way.

Leo Cullen's troops have been unstoppable so far this term, winning all 11 matches, and they have covered the -6 Handicap in all-but one of those fixtures.

A big boost for the visitors heading into this clash is the return of prop Tadhg Furlong, who will be making his first start since October after overcoming a hamstring injury and his experience in the front row only aids his side's cause further.

You only have to look at the replacements bench to see the strength in depth of this Leinster team, with the likes of Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and Jordie Barrett ready to come on when called upon.

It is six successive away wins for Leinster now and it is hard to look past anything other than a victory for the visitors, who are playing better rugby than their hosts.

La Rochelle have lacked consistency in the Top 14, winning eight and losing six, but they have won both of their Champions Cup outings and that will serve as a warning to Cullen's men.

The French outfit have a habit of turning it on in the big matches, evidenced by their final wins in 2022 and 2023, but they are not quite clicking right now and any mistakes will be punished by Leinster.

Josh van der Flier anytime tryscorer - 21/10

Leinster are a powerful side and there should be plenty of opportunities for them to cross the whitewash from close range, which makes the prices on a forward grabbing a try very appealing.

One player who stands out is flanker Josh van der Flier, who can cap off what will be his 150th appearance for the Irish province by grabbing his fourth try of the campaign.

The 31-year-old opened his account in the round six win over the Lions in the United Rugby Championship on 26th October before playing a big role for Ireland in the Autumn Nations Series, scoring tries in three of the four internationals.

Van der Flier returned to club action in round one of the Champions Cup, crossing over in the win over Bristol, while his most recent try came in the round nine triumph over Munster in the URC.

Standing at 6ft 1in, the Irishman is a towering presence on the pitch and he can make his mark by scoring his fourth try of the season for Leinster.

Caelan Doris anytime tryscorer - 12/5

Another Leinster player that makes appeal in the anytime tryscorer market is captain Caelan Doris, who is three inches taller than van der Flier and can be backed at 12/5 to touch down.

The 26-year-old skipper leads the way for his side when it comes to tries in this season's URC, racking up four, and the latest of those came last time out in the December victory over Munster.

If Leinster can barrel their way to the line, Doris will fancy his chances of barging his way over and adding a fifth try to his account for the Irish province this term.

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La Rochelle v Leinster odds

La Rochelle - 21/10
Tie - 20/1
Leinster - 2/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.