La Rochelle vs Munster Prediction: Red Army can cover the handicap

The European Rugby Champions Cup action continues on Saturday (17:30, Premier Sports 1) as La Rochelle host Munster in a heavyweight battle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. 

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his La Rochelle vs Munster prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown on the west coast of France. 

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

La Rochelle have gone with Cola Nail, Nikolozi Sutidze and Upaleto Feao in the front row, with locks Charles Kante Samba and Simon Huchet in behind. 

Tyreese Leupolu, Richie Whelan and skipper Lucas Andjisseramatchi complete the pack, with Mathis Brunet and Diego Jurd starting in the half-backs. 

Ike Mabope Anagu and William Wright form the centre partnership, with Peni Torau Vuetimaiwai, Tomasri Seru and Maxime Tetlow in the back three. 

As for the visitors, Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and Oli Jager start in the front row, with the second row consisting of Jean Kleyn and skipper Tadhg Beirne. 

Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes form the back row, while the half-backs see Craig Casey and Jack Crowley start from the off. 

Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash and Andrew Smith form the back three, with Tom Farrell and Sean O'Brien in the centres for the Red Army. 

La Rochelle vs Munster Odds

La Rochelle are the favourites for the win in 80 minutes on their own patch this weekend at 4/11, while Munster are 9/4 to head back to Ireland with the victory. 

A draw in the 80 minutes is 20/1, while Munster to be leading at the half-time whistle is available at 13/8. 

Munster +6 handicap @ 11/10

Glasgow are missing some key personnel ahead of this one with the likes of Scott Cummings (arm), Jack Dempsey (hamstring), Huw Jones (ankle), Josh McKay (ankle), Rory Sutherland (shoulder), Sione Tuipulotu (pectoral), Duncan Weir (shoulder) and Max Williamson (hand) all unavailable. 

Those names missing out are a blow for head coach Franco Smith and the Warriors would be heavier favourites if they were available for Saturday. 

This is still a strong Glasgow side and the reigning United Rugby Championship side will take some stopping to be denied a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals. 

However, Leicester are a quality outfit too and they can make this game much tighter than many might envisage before kick-off at Scotstoun. 

The Tigers were underdogs before their 33-0 win at reigning Premiership champions and arch-rivals Northampton Saints a couple of games ago, showing just what this side are capable of on the road. 

Leicester might fall short in their efforts to beat the Warriors on their own patch but the Tigers with a +6 handicap at odds of 11/8 looks too good to pass up.