La Rochelle vs Leinster Prediction: Irish giants to overpower Les Maritimes

There is a blockbuster European Rugby Champions Cup clash taking place at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Sunday (15:15, Premier Sports 1) as La Rochelle entertain Leinster. 

Both sides have a perfect record from their first two matches, with La Rochelle sitting top of Pool 2 because their points difference of +32 is one better than Leinster’s +31. Read on for my La Rochelle vs Leinster prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds. 

La Rochelle vs Leinster Odds

La Rochelle are 23/10 to pick up the win on home soil, with the draw priced at 18/1 and Leinster the heavy 4/11 favourites to claim the spoils. 

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

La Rochelle have made four changes to the starting XV that edged out Toulouse in the Top 14 last time out, with Antoine Hastoy back at fly-half in place of Ihaia West. 

Quentin Lespiaucq comes in at hooker for Tolu Latu, while Kane Douglas and Thomas Lavault replace Ultan Dillane and Judicael Cancoriet in the second row. 

La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 8 Gregory Alldritt (c), 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Quentin Lespiaucq, 1 Reda Wardi 

Replacements: 16 Nikoloz Sutidze, 17 Alexandre Kaddouri, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Matthias Haddad, 23 Hoani Bosmorin 

Leinster have made three alterations from the victory over Munster at the end of December, with Jamison Gibson-Park replacing Luke McGrath at scrum-half in the only change to the backs. 

In the front row, Tadhg Furlong has recovered from a hamstring injury to make his first start since October, dislodging Rabah Slimani, while Cian Healy comes in for Jack Boyle. 

Leinster: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O'Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O'Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy 

Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordie Barrett 

Leinster -7 Handicap 3-Way @ 1/1 

Leinster have won all 11 fixtures this season, chalking up nine victories in the United Rugby Championship to sit top of the table and beating both Bristol and Clermont in Europe. 

It has been a flying start from Leo Cullen's side and they will feel confident of overcoming a La Rochelle outfit that have struggled for consistency this term, having won eight and lost six times in the Top 14. 

Recent games involving La Rochelle have been close, with the winning margin in three of their last four outings ranging from four to eight points and they should give a decent account of themselves. 

However, Leinster are almost at full strength for this clash and they should be able to cover the -7 Handicap, something they have achieved in nine of their 11 fixtures. 

Caelan Doris anytime tryscorer @ 11/4

There will be no shortage of anytime tryscorer options for Sunday's encounter, but one player that provides value at 11/4 to cross the whitewash at any stage of the match is Leinster captain Caelan Doris. 

The 26-year-old Ireland international is his side's leading tryscorer in the URC, racking up four tries, with the latest of those coming last time out in the win over Munster. 

At 6ft 4in, Doris is such a threat when the play gets close to the try line and there is every chance he could barge his way through a determined La Rochelle defence.