La Rochelle v Leinster predictions and rugby union tips: Leinster can edge home

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for La Rochelle v Leinster in the European Champions Cup on Sunday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Sunday

Best bet

Leinster to win by one to 12 points
1pt 3-1 Betfair

Match preview

Leinster have been European Champions Cup favourites since the first round in December and their serene progress makes them tough to oppose, but they know they face a huge test to reach their sixth final.

Opponents La Rochelle are in their first semi-final while Leinster are playing their 13th, but the French outfit have been picked out along the way as serious contenders thanks to their high scoring and physical dominance.

What has gone less noticed is their defensive strength, particularly at home, where they have the best record in the Top 14 of ten victories from 11 matches and have conceded an average of just over 11 points a game.

Leinster have to unpick that solid defence without talisman and playmaker Johnny Sexton at fly-half, and they will need to draw on every bit of experience from their unbeaten campaign to make it over the line.

On their side is their undoubted European pedigree, which came to the surface in their quarter-final at defending champions Exeter, where they never lost control despite going 14-0 down in the first ten minutes.

And they have a side made up of 15 Ireland internationals, including Sexton's replacement Ross Byrne at number ten, earning his 100th start for the province.

Knockout wins over Gloucester and Sale have got La Rochelle to this point but this is a huge step up, and while they have the power to make it a fierce contest, they are up against opponents who have shown time and again that they have the organisation, mentality and experience to carve out a winning position.

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