“You can’t live in the past,' insists Leinster boss Leo Cullen talking of last season double victory. 'We talked about this with the squad as well. You can’t live back there.'
Nobody would suggest this makes up for a final and two semi-final reverses but it was the slaying of a bogeyman
Best not to get too cocky, however, ahead of what will be a noisy affair, a game that will be 101st consecutive sold-out game at 16,000 capacity Stade Marcel Deflandre. Across the French eligible backs Brice Dulin, at 34 year-of-age is unlikely to get recalled to international duty, Jules Favre is uncapped and Antione Hastoy hasn't been involved since being an RWC 2023 squaddie.
Moreover the unavailability of France hooker Pierre Bourgarit and the suspension of his understudy Tolu Latu sees 29 year-old journeyman Quentin Lespiaucq comes in for just his sixth start of the season, "They can lay down a marker this weekend because they’re not just competing against their opponent but also competing for their own personal interest against whoever is playing for one of the other provinces in European action on the same weekend.
Stade Rochelais: Brice Dulin; Jack Nowell, UJ Seuteni, Jules Favre, Dillyn Leyds; Antoine Hastoy, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Reda Wardi, Quentin Lespiaucq, Uini Atonio, Thomas Lavault, Kane Douglas, Paul Boudehent, Oscar Jegou, Grégory Alldritt capt
Ronan O'gara European Champions Cup
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