The stage is set for the latest edition of what has become one of European rugby’s intense rivalries as Leinster welcome Stade Rochelais to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 10th January 2026.
Kicking off at 5:30pm local time, Leinster will be aiming to make full use of home advantage in this Investec Champions Cup Pool Round 3 contest, against a competitive French outfit led by former Irish international and Munster icon, Ronan O’Gara.
Both clubs have storied histories in the competition, with Leinster listed as four-time winners and La Rochelais winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, both times at Leinster’s expense.
Irish rugby fans have been counting down the days to Saturday’s fixture, which should deliver on the promise of drama, physicality and tactical intrigue. Over 50,000 supporters are expected to turn up, with most of those pining for Leinster to exact some revenge against the French powerhouse.
With Tonybet, you can find extensive coverage of Saturday’s showdown, and below, we’ve previewed the clash in detail.
Leinster preview
Leinster are in formidable shape on the eve of Saturday’s test. Unbeaten in the current Champions Cup campaign and in the middle of a seven-game unbeaten burst across all competitions, they look well-equipped to take on this weekend’s challenge.
Their domestic form in the United Rugby Championship (URC) has been solid, with the club sitting in sixth spot having secured six wins from nine outings, the latest of which was delivered in some style last weekend against Irish provincial rivals Connacht (52-17).
Leinster’s gritty triumph over Munster on St. Stephen’s Day (13-8) highlighted the team’s growing cohesion and resilience, along with their ability to control games through phase play, a dominant scrum and efficient lineout form.
Their knack for dictating tempo and exploiting territory at the right times has also been key, with their forwards providing the platform for a dynamic backline to be unleashed.
Squad news ahead of Saturday has been mainly positive, though some question marks remain over several of coach Leo Cullen’s key figures.
Reports suggest that Robbie Henshaw has recovered from the finger injury sustained against Munster and is available for selection, adding depth to the midfield.
However, while tighthead prop Rabah Slimani, fly-half Harry Byrne, centre Garry Ringrose and lock RG Snyman are back in training, they are still awaiting final clearance.
There’s no fresh update on full-back Hugo Keenan, flanker Ryan Baird, centres Jamie Osborne and Jordan Larmour, or wing Jimmy O’Brien, meanwhile, which could force Cullen to adjust his plans for Saturday.
The potential inclusion of 59-times capped Les Bleus international Slimani would be useful, due to his insider knowledge of French scrummaging. He’s faced La Rochelais props such as Uini Atonio on multiple occasions in the Top 14, so his experience would add plenty to Leinster’s chances.
Based on recent selections and injury news, a potential starting XV for Leinster on Saturday might looks like this: Andrew Porter at loosehead prop, Dan Sheehan at hooker, and Tom Clarkson or Tadhg Furlong at tighthead (if Slimani isn’t risked).
Further up in the second row, Joe McCarthy is in line to be paired with Brian Deeny or Snyman, again if the latter is fit. The back row is likely to feature some of the usual names such as Diarmuid Mangan, Will Connors and Jack Conan.
At half-back, Jamison Gibson-Park’s playing style complements Sam Prendergast’s calm game management at fly-half. Midfield might see Charlie Tector and Joshua Kenny used, especially if Ringrose and Henshaw’s minutes are managed, while Tommy O’Brien and Hugh Cooney should be deployed on the wings. Ciarán Frawley could slot in at full-back for stability.
Playing on home turf should be one of Leinster’s major advantages here, and there should be plenty of energy to harness from the vocal support in Dublin. The Official Leinster Supporters Club have been doing their part to build a big atmosphere this week, so expect a noisy evening in the capital.
Leinster have variety and depth on the bench that can turn tight contests, so this might be something to look out for in the second half. If the hosts can maintain their discipline and avoid the sort of penalty concessions that have hamstrung them in previous encounters with La Rochelle, they could overwhelm the depleted French side.
Stade Rochelais team preview
Stade Rochelais (or La Rochelle as they’re commonly known) travel to Dublin as an established, battle-hardened force, though they have been struggling to find consistency, with absentees hindering their progress.
In the Top 14, they sit midtable in seventh spot with 36 points, though they’ve lost as many games as they’ve won so far there (seven each), with flashes of brilliance commonly followed by frustrating setbacks.
For example, a humiliating 60-14 mauling at the hands of Toulouse was chased by a convincing 66-0 demolition job on Toulon in their very next fixture, highlighting the team’s habit of veering from crash to class and back again.
Scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec nabbed a brace and seven conversions in Stade Rochelais’ 10-try display against Toulon, while forwards Uini Atonio, Levani Botia and Grégory Alldritt were the driving forces from the back.
That rebound victory signalled a return to basics in some ways, where physicality and breakdown pressure were the order of the day. Both traits have become hallmarks of Ronan O’Gara’s coaching philosophy, so expect the visitors to attempt something similar in Dublin.
Injuries are threatening to scupper O’Gara’s strategy, however. Up to a dozen players could miss out this weekend, including back-row Paul Boudehent, hooker Pierre Bourgarit, lock Matthias Haddad, centre Jonathan Danty and winger Suliasi Vunivalu. Ultan Dillane and Semi Lagivala are also sidelined.
There’s some positive news for La Rochelle in the form of Will Skelton’s return from an ankle issue, while Ihaia West has also recovered from injury and could provide a spark at fly-half if chosen to replace impressive teen Diego Jurd. Charles Kanté-Samba also returns from a recent suspension to bolster the second row.
A projected lineup for La Rochelle might include Reda Wardi at loosehead, a replacement hooker such as Quentin Lespiaucq in Bourgarit’s absence, and the imposing Uini Atonio at tighthead.
Skelton could partner Kanté-Samba or even Thomas Lavault in the locks, with Botia, Alldritt (skipper) and Judicaël Cancoriet in the back row. Le Garrec at scrum-half pairs with Antoine Hastoy or West at 10.
Centres might include Ulupano Seuteni and a stand-in for Danty (such as Teddy Thomas). Wing positions could be reserved for experienced flanksmen Dillyn Leyds and Jack Nowell, with Jules Favre likely to be deployed at full-back.
La Rochelle will expect to be up against it in Dublin with so many players sidelined, though they do have European knowhow and a history against Leinster to lean on for optimism. They are also likely to try to make this a war of attrition, where the aim might be to win penalties through mauls.
One of Munster’s favourite sons, O’Gara, will be determined to take this challenge on, though a lack of proven reinforcements from the bench could impact his team’s staying power after the break.
H2H record
The head-to-head record between Leinster and La Rochelle is a story of wafer-thin margins and high emotion, making this one of the most compelling rivalries and fixtures in modern rugby.
Their most recent encounter came almost exactly a year ago, with Leinster grinding out a 16-14 away win in La Rochelle in January 2025.
Before that, in April 2024, Leinster dominated in Dublin (40-13), and in December 2023, they secured another victory on French soil (16-9).
Stade Rochelais claimed the spoils when it mattered most, however, beating Leinster in successive Champions Cup Finals in 2022 and 2023. The latter, a particularly heart-wrenching one-point loss in Dublin (27-26), was vigorously celebrated by O’Gara.
Since then, Leinster have won three meetings out of three with their French foes, though the narrow two-point difference between the teams 12 months ago suggests that Saturday’s latest iteration of the tie could be decided by slender margins again.
Players to watch
For Leinster, keep a close eye on 32-year-old flanker Josh van der Flier. The World Rugby Player of the Year nominee (and 2022 winner) does his best work at breakdowns, pilfering balls and providing defensive steel in crucial moments. This could make him a vital weapon against La Rochelle’s carriers.
In the second row, watch out for Joe McCarthy, the Manhattan-born Irish international starlet. The 24-year-old, who has been on Leinster’s books since 2022, combines athleticism with try-scoring threat.
Fly-half Sam Prendergast, meanwhile, will be tasked with kicking for territory and points. Still only 22, the Newbridge native shows remarkable composure under pressure.
On the La Rochelle side, captain Gregory Alldritt is a tour de force, while Will Skelton, if fully fit, can be a wrecking ball at lock with his maul work and quick offloads.
Antoine Hastoy, at fly-half, brings creativity and goal-kicking accuracy to the table, though he has missed penalties in big games before. He will be determined not to crack when he feels the squeeze in Dublin.
Our expert predictions
Leinster have been priced as heavy favourites, with odds hovering around the 1.07 market with Tonybet, and they’ve received major backing for good reason.
This is an injury-hit Stade Rochelais outfit that has lost three encounters with Leinster on the bounce. Margins were tight when Leinster triumphed in this fixture a year ago, though that 16-14 win was achieved on French soil against a less depleted team.
This time around, and with the landscape favourable, Leinster might be more comfortable, and backing them to win by 8-14 points with Tonybet appeals at a bumper price of 4.3 as a consequence.
Visit Tonybet now to find extensive coverage of Saturday’s clash in the Aviva Stadium between Leinster and Stade Rochelais, along with markets for every other Champions Cup fixture across the weekend.
