Leinster vs La Rochelle Prediction: Injury-hit Leinster can get over the line

It’s two wins from two so far for Leinster in the Champions Cup, as they prepare to play host to La Rochelle on Saturday evening (17:30 GMT, Premier Sports 1). Leo Cullen’s men have already claimed victories at Leicester and at home to Harlequins to leave them sitting second in Pool 3.

La Rochelle head to Dublin with five points to their name, after one win and one defeat so far, looking to build on an impressive domestic win last weekend. Below are my Leinster vs La Rochelle predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the contest at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

Leinster vs La Rochelle Odds

Last season’s United Rugby Championship winners Leinster can be backed at 1/5 to claim another victory on Saturday.

The visitors - who are currently seventh in the Top 14 standings - are available at 18/5, while the draw is priced at 25/1.

Team News

Injuries have hit the Leinster squad in the build-up to the clash, with no fewer than three of their frontline props missing.

Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong and French international Rabah Slimani are all missing from the matchday squad due to injury.

Coach Cullen will call upon Paddy McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson to fill the void, while winger JJ Kenny to make his debut on the right side.

No. 8 Caelan Doris will captain the side, while Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum half and Robbie Henshaw and Rieko Ioane are the centres.

Ronan O’Gara returns to Ireland with his La Rochelle side, who have lost their last three matches against Leinster.

Australian lock Will Skelton and England winger Jack Nowell are amongst the overseas stars selected in the starting XV.

Back row Gregory Alldritt will captain the visitors, while South Africa international Dillyn Leyds starts at full-back.

Winning Margin - Leinster Win By 1-12 Points Inclusive @ 15/8

La Rochelle head to the Emerald Isle having run in 66 unanswered points in a crushing victory over Toulon last weekend.

The 10-try success moved them into the top half of the Top 14 table, and now coach O’Gara will be desperate to win the latest showdown with Leinster.

The hosts also shone in domestic action last week, scoring eight tries in a 52-17 cruise over Connacht at the Aviva Stadium.

These two teams met in the Champions Cup semi-final of 2021, and there have been some classic match-ups between the teams since then.

In the last five meetings, there have been seven or fewer points between the sides in four of those games, including a 14-16 win for Cullen’s men in France 12 months ago.

Home advantage could give Leinster the edge, but their injury problems in the pack is likely to mean this will be another tight tussle.

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