Josh van der Flier of Leinster has experienced multiple defeats against La Rochelle in recent seasons, including a heartbreaking loss in the final last May.
Leinster 's Josh van der Flier makes a break to score the opening try against Vodacom Bulls at the BKT United Rugby Championship at the RDS, Dublin last month. Photograph: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
It had been a stellar season, in which Van der Flier had played every minute of Ireland’s Grand Slam, but it ended with the openside in tears. Revenge, no matter what players say, is always a powerful spur, albeit the relatively mild-mannered Van der Flier will be less inclined to use the memory of that hurt in advance of next Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium .
“Some lads are definitely easy going. Like Devin Toner would be the most chilled out man before a game and some lads need something to be aggressive at because obviously it’s a physical game. I suppose it comes down to the individual at the end of the day.” “I was thinking back, if you are to win a tournament you always want to have played and be able to beat the best teams, so that’s the challenge this week. It’s great in that way and I think that’s the mentality with the rest of the lads as well.”
“Yeah, it was very different to the previous two games in lovely sunny weather. It was tough. It’s interesting in a way, the drier weather, both of those were still one score games; the wet weather one was a one score game as well. So, they’re still tight games either way.
Leinster Josh Van Der Flier Defeat La Rochelle Rugby
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'There's definitely a bit more to it' – Van der Flier on La Rochelle rivalryLeinster flanker Josh van der Flier is looking forward to having another crack at Ronan O’Gara’s side this weekend.
Read more »
Jacques Nienaber holds key to Leinster’s defence that can unlock way past La RochelleThe World Cup-winning Springbok coach has changed the way that Leinster think about setting up against the team that has too often proved to be their knock-out nemesis
Read more »
Leinster can physically match up to La Rochelle, says Jacques NienaberJamie Osborne is poised to keep his place in the Blues' backline alongside Robbie Henshaw
Read more »
Mary Hannigan Sports Briefing: Can Jacques Nienaber break Leinster’s La Rochelle hoodoo?Katie McCabe and co aim for England upset while Michael Murphy gives his verdict on Monaghan’s defeat to Cavan
Read more »
La Rochelle won't bully Leinster out of Champions Cup, says Jacques NienaberLa Rochelle's head coach, Jacques Nienaber, believes that his team will not be able to overpower Leinster in the upcoming Champions Cup match. Both teams are preparing for their latest showdown, with La Rochelle choosing to head straight to Ireland and Ronan O'Gara's home city. On arrival in Cork, O'Gara sarcastically tweeted about the rainy weather, while Nienaber admitted that a nap was the first item on the agenda after their long journey.
Read more »
La Rochelle survive almighty Stormers scare to set up potential quarter-final with LeinsterThe back-to-back European champions were a last-minute conversion away from exiting the competition but Mannie Libbok’s tricky kick drifted wide.
Read more »