How are we doing? Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Leinster’s Champions Cup Round 3 pool meeting with their old pals La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium.
The four-time European champions host Ronan O’Gara’s two-time former champs in what will be their seventh meeting since 2021!
Leinster have won the last three and are favoured this evening, too, but it should be a lot of fun.
It’s Gavan Casey with you here and I’ll bring you a blow-by-blow account of the game — or near enough — if you can’t make it to Lansdowne Road or to a telly with Premier Sports.
JJ Kenny will make his Champions Cup debut for Leinster, while Sam Prendergast has been named to start at out-half against Ronan O’Gara’s two-time European champions.
Sevens product Kenny, who has scored six tries in his five first-team appearances for his province, continues on the left wing with James Lowe still absent from Leo Cullen’s matchday squad through injury.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Props Jerry Cahir and Andrew Sparrow are both also in line to make their first Champions Cup appearances for Leinster off the bench, with Paddy McCarthy and Tom Clarkson starting to either side of Dan Sheehan in the hosts’ front row. None of Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, Tadhg Furlong or Jack Boyle have made the matchday squad.
Sam Prendergast has been selected to start at out-half, with Harry Byrne back among Leinster’s replacements following his late withdrawal from last week’s matchday squad to face Ulster.
O’Gara has named a strong La Rochelle side replete with big hitters. Talismanic forwards Uini Atonio, Will Skelton, Oscar Jegou and captain Grégory Aldritt all start, while thrilling new signings Nolann le Garrec and David Niniashvilli will face Leinster for the first time in Rochelais colours.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Still, La Rochelle are, like their hosts, beset with injuries to senior players.
As well as longer-term absentee Jonathan Danty, starting hooker Pierre Bourgarit and fellow French international Paul Boudehent are still unavailable. So too are former France U20 lock Matthias Haddad, Fijian back Semi Lagivala, and Fijian-Australian wing Suliasi Vunivalu, while Ireland international Ultan Dillane has also been ruled out for today’s game.
Matthew Carley will be the man in the middle when the rival clubs meets once more in Dublin on Saturday evening.
1. Paddy McCarthy
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Jack Conan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (Captain)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Diarmuid Mangan
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Harry Byrne
23. Andrew Osborne
La Rochelle
15. Dillyn Leyds
14. Jack Nowell
13. Jules Favre
12. Simeli Daunivucu
11. Davit Niniashvili
10. Ihaia West
9. Nolann le Garrec
1. Reda Wardi
2. Tolu Latu
3. Uini Atonio
4. Charles Kante Samba
5. Will Skelton
6. Oscar Jegou
7. Levani Botia
8. Grégory Alldritt (Captain)
Replacements:
16. Quentin Lespiaucq
17. Louis Penverne
18. Aleksandre Kuntelia
19. Kane Douglas
20. Kirill Fraindt
21. Thomas Berjon
22. Antoine Hastoy
23. Nathan Bollengier
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
10 Jan
5:14PM
How are you feeling, Leinster fans?
Will the eastern province earn a fourth straight victory over La Rochelle?
It’s not all animosity, or as the La Rochelle head coach might say in a powerful Cork accent, animosité.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Kick-off on the way shortly!
10 Jan
5:27PM
Ian Madigan just predicted a La Rochelle win on Premier Sports. Both he and fellow pundit Rob Kearney are expecting an extremely tight game.
Bear in mind Leinster were favoured by as many as 21 points earlier in the week, with the bookmakers initially presuming that La Rochelle would send a second-string team.
1′ – LEIN 0-0 LAR: Sam Prendergast gets us underway at the Aviva!
10 Jan
5:32PM
2′ – LEIN 0-0 LAR: Leinster win a penalty advantage for hands in the ruck inside the La Rochelle half. They swing wide left at speed, with Joshua Kenny edged into touch just seven or eight yards from the French line. Advantage over.
And La Rochelle then throw the lineout straight to Leinster! But they turn the hosts over on the ground a couple of phases later, exiting at the second time of asking.
3′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JOSHUA KENNY ON HIS FIRST CHAMPIONS CUP START!
Leinster create a numerical advantage on the left-hand side of La Rochelle’s 22′. Frawley and O’Brien combine to send Kenny over for a superb, stretched, flying finish in the left-hand corner!
Prendergast’s conversion is off the mark, but Leinster lead early in Dublin after a breathtaking start!
10 Jan
5:38PM
6′ – LEIN 5-0 LAR: Leinster applying more pressure, winning the aerial battle so far. Robbie Henshaw chips in behind and La Rochelle are forced to contend with a lineout just outside their own 5′. They win it an exit, but Nolann le Garrec’s box kick remains in play.
Back come Leinster. They look on it, bigtime.
10 Jan
5:39PM
8′ – LEIN 5-0 LAR: La Rochelle hanging in there. They strip Frawley in contact inside their own 22′ and Davit Niniashvilli clears downfield. But back come Leinster once more!
9′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JOSHUA KENNY AGAIN! EIGHT TRIES IN SIX GAMES!
Rieko Ioane charges down an exit from Ihiah West and Kenny pounces to dive over in the left-hand corner once more!
Prendergast is good from the tee, and Leinster lead 12-0 after a dominant start in Dublin.
10 Jan
5:42PM
11′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle win a penalty for hands in the ruck inside the Leinster half. French lineout in the Leinster 22′. A foothold.
10 Jan
5:44PM
Yellow card: Tommy O'Brien (Leinster)
12′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle knock on the door and O’Brien is binned for a deliberate knock-on, disguised as an attempted tackle. Fair decision.
La Rochelle’s attack breaks down on the Leinster 5′ but they’ve got the pen when play resumes.
Ciarán Frawley, however, is receiving treatment, so we’re paused for the moment.
10 Jan
5:47PM
13′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Frawley testing his left ankle. I doubt he’ll continue, looks to be lacking power in that leg now.
Indeed, Andrew Osborne is on for Frawley now. That’s a blow for Leinster.
La Rochelle will restart with a five-metre lineout against the 14-man hosts. And they botch the lineout entirely! Leinster escape through the boot of Henshaw.
10 Jan
5:48PM
14′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Jues Favre takes an accidental knee to the head from Jack Conan as he gathers a loose ball in his own 22′. Play stopped again. He’ll surely need a HIA — but he’s up and conscious, thankfully.
Ronan O’Gara looks forlorn in the away coaching box. His side’s lineout has malfunctioned so far and Leinster have been absolutely ruthless.
10 Jan
5:50PM
14′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Play resumes with a La Rochelle scrum after the head injury to Favre — it’s the first scrum of the game.
Paddy McCarthy versus Uini Atonio: La Rochelle win a free-kick as McCarthy is accused of ‘over-leaning’ by referee Matthew Carley.
10 Jan
5:52PM
17′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Leinster are giving La Rochelle a hosing in the air. The French side look rattled every time a Leinster player kicks the ball.
Jack Nowell just batted one back into open country despite the fact that he was unchallenged under the high ball!
10 Jan
5:56PM
19′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Wow, Levani Botia carves a hole in Leinster’s defence and, into open grass, decides to kick ahead despite having two men outside him!
Osborne taps the ball dead inside the Leinster in-goal. Botia’s teammates appear perplexed.
La Rochelle are trying to play, and they’ve shown glimpses of attacking potency, but their accuracy and decision-making is well below the level needed to win this game — so far, anyway.
10 Jan
5:57PM
20′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle lineout outside the Leinster 5′ after another home infringement — and Joe McCarthy blows up the La Rochelle maul as Oscar Jegou fumbles the ball during the setup! Leinster then win a penalty and the Aviva goes nuts.
10 Jan
6:00PM
22′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Leinster blast La Rochelle off their own ball inside the visitors’ half and Jack Conan wins the jackal penalty!
Prendergast line-kicks the home side into the La Rochelle 22′. Lineout Leinster. They’re enjoying this!
10 Jan
6:01PM
23′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Botia makes up for his earlier error in attack with a huge jackal penalty near his own 5′. That’s a big stand by La Rochelle, in fairness, but they’re hanging on by their fingernails here.
The 36-year-old Botia rolling back the years at the breakdown.
10 Jan
6:05PM
25′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Leinster have made six clean breaks to La Rochelle’s one. It’s been one-way traffic.
Botia, though, is going to work: he rips one from Caelan Doris. Leinster reef it back off next phase but knock it on, and La Rochelle get the reprieve of a scrum put-in on their own 10′.
West line-kicks La Rochelle into the Leinster 22′.
They’ve been here three times previously and made a total balls of it each time.
10 Jan
6:08PM
29′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle batter at the Leinster 5′ and the hosts are pinged for offside. With pen advantage, West — or somebody — tries a 40-metre bridge pass out right to Jack Nowell, but he’s in touch and Carley will bring it back for the pen.
10 Jan
6:10PM
29′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle opt for a scrum on the Leinster 5′. Leinster have held firm in the three scrums so far — but they yield here.
30′ – TRY FOR LA ROCHELLE! Niniashvili in the left-hand corner!
La Rochelle attack the short side, O’Brien has no option but to bite in, and Antoine Hastoy — on for Jules Favre (head injury) — feeds the flying Georgian who just about dots down.
Nolann le Garrec converts from the touchline and just like that, O’Gara’s side are back in this one.
10 Jan
6:14PM
33′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Botia wins his third turnover in the La Rochelle 22′!
But Leinster are back on the attack in La Rochelle’s half.
10 Jan
6:16PM
35′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Full-blooded, halfway line action. La Rochelle smashing into Leinster carriers. It’s extremely intense.
Crowd on Matthew Carley’s back but he’s had about as good a game as could be possible amid the chaos!
10 Jan
6:18PM
36′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: La Rochelle win a scrum penalty, this one against Tom Clarkson, and West gives them a lineout just shy of the Leinster 22′.
The French side are getting on top in the scrum battle after some early parity.
Two tries for Joshua Kenny during an early period of Leinster dominance, and a riposte from David Niniashvili as La Rochelle wrestled their way back into the game, leave this beautifully poised.
Catch you in 15!
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
10 Jan
6:38PM
Second half
41′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Leinster produced a huge second half last week to dispose of Connacht after a competitive opening 40.
It’ll be a lot harder today, but let’s see.
Buckle up, folks!
10 Jan
6:42PM
43′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Incredible La Rochelle attack after a beautiful break by Le Garrec down the right edge — but they blow it on the opposite wing as an over-the-shoulder offload — was it by Botia? — pinballs into touch.
A serious start to the second half by the visitors but once more their decision-making and execution in the final moment lets them down.
Paddy McCarthy is going off injured, meanwhile, with Jerry Cahir on for his Champions Cup debut. Cahir versus Uini Atonio. What a moment for the young man.
Leinster lineout on their own 5′.
10 Jan
6:43PM
43′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Gibson-Park clears to outside the Leinster 22′. Lineout La Rochelle.
10 Jan
6:45PM
46′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: INCREDIBLE defensive stand by Leinster as they repel a sustained La Rochelle attack and counter-ruck them off their own ball.
Leinster exit and here come La Rochelle once more!
10 Jan
6:47PM
47′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: La Rochelle create an almost certain try — and they knock it on at the final moment once again!
Niniashvili inside to Wardi with the line at his mercy! Hastoy gets in his way and the front-row drops it forward! The Aviva goes nuts once more.
This is exhilarating stuff. But La Rochelle have missed chance after chance to start this second half!
Joe McCarthy back on after his sin-bin, too.
Leinster scrum on their own 5′ — a big one for Jerry Cahir. His first in the Champions Cup.
10 Jan
6:48PM
48′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Wardi, whose joint error led to the scrum, then concedes a free in the scrum for an early push!
Leinster escape once more.
10 Jan
6:51PM
50′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Tommy O’Brien, superb so far, makes 50 metres off a Leinster scrum — but La Rochelle scramble and counter-ruck the hosts off their own ball — a mirror image of what Conan and co. did to them just a moment ago!
54′ – LEIN 12-10 LAR: La Rochelle win a scrum penalty just outside the Leinster 22′ — and they’re going to take a shot at goal.
The scrum came from a Le Garrec pass which hit Carley, not really the ref’s fault. But a frustrating one for Leinster given their power deficit at the scrum currently.
10 Jan
6:57PM
56′ – LEIN 12-10 LAR: Leinster get a nice platform with a lineout just shy of the La Rochelle 10′ after a bout of kick tennis.
They cough up possession with a forward pass almost immediately, however, and La Rochelle have a scrum near halfway.
10 Jan
6:59PM
58′ – LEIN 12-10 LAR: Daunivucu scythes through the Leinster defence and takes it close — but his attempted offload hits the deck and is spilled forward with the line at La Rochelle’s mercy once again. Another chance blown by the visitors!
It’s a deserved score by La Rochelle, who have been on top in this second half.
A goal-line assault after big carries by Skelton and Botia yields a walk-in score for West, and Le Garrec converts from the right-hand side.
La Rochelle, from 12 points down early, lead at the Aviva Stadium!
10 Jan
7:03PM
61′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Harry Byrne, on for Prendergast this instant, miscues the restart. It doesn’t go 10. La Rochelle win a scrum on halfway.
One of those errors that only happens when things are already going wrong.
But still plenty of road to run in this game… and just like that, Leinster win a scrum penalty against one of the replacement La Rochelle props!
10 Jan
7:04PM
62′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Leinster lineout on the La Rochelle 22′. This is about as advanced as Leinster have been up the field in the second half so far, save for one earlier Tommy O’Brien break.
A brilliant attacking platform and a chance to catch a breather en route. Let’s see what they’ve got.
10 Jan
7:05PM
63′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Leinster get the lineout all wrong and La Rochelle have broken up the other way. They’re attacking outside the Leinster 22′!
10 Jan
7:07PM
63′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Daunivucu carries it to within five but Sam Prendergast — still on the field; my apologies, Harry Byrne is on for Andrew Osborne — initiates a choke tackle! Scrum Leinster! The Aviva lets out a roar!
10 Jan
7:08PM
65′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Leinster exit, just about, up towards halfway after a bit of a crapshoot at the breakdown inside their own 22′.
Prendergast’s soft hands, and Leinster put Van der Flier away in space down the right! He has the gas to make it all the way from 40-odd metres and the Aviva erupts!
Prendergast’s kick from the right is off the mark, but Leinster are back in this after a very, very difficult third quarter!
10 Jan
7:13PM
69′ – LEIN 17-17 LAR: Just the same as happened to Harry Byrne after La Rochelle’s last try, Ihiah West makes a hames of the restart and Leinster have a scrum on halfway.
Has this one turned? What a final 11 or so minutes we have in store.
The visitors’ pressure becomes relentless and Leinster’s defence eventually creaks. West, in acres, finds the angle and crashes over centre-right.
Le Garrec — stone-cold from the tee so far — with a chance to give La Rochelle a late, late lead — and he’s done it!
Wow! Leinster have three minutes to respond!
10 Jan
7:24PM
79′ – LEIN 22-24 LAR: A Leinster attack on the La Rochelle 10′ is halted by a Tommy O’Brien knock-on!
La Rochelle fly-hack the ball as far as the Leinster in-goal area. Joshua Kenny dots down. Goal-line drop-out — and Leinster win a penalty on their own 10′!
10 Jan
7:24PM
80′ – LEIN 22-24 LAR: Leinster lineout inside the La Rochelle 22′. Clock red.
Three points will do it. This is it.
10 Jan
7:25PM
81′ – LEIN 22-24 LAR: PENALTY LEINSTER! A CHANCE TO WIN IT FROM THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE!
HARRY BYRNE HAS DONE IT WITH THE FINAL KICK OF THE GAME! LEINSTER ESCAPE WITH VICTORY!
10 Jan
7:29PM
Wow, wow, wow.
What a game.
Leinster survive an almighty battle to win it by the narrowest of margins. Harry Byrne with a penalty from the right-hand side, maybe 35 metres from goal, with the final play of the game.
La Rochelle were brilliant, and they’ll be kicking themselves that they conspired to lose the game from a Leinster goal-line drop-out with about a minute to go.
But Leinster win their seventh straight game and La Rochelle collapse in despair!
Four in a row for Leinster against Ronan O’Gara and their French rivals. Jeez, you’d watch that every week if you could.
10 Jan
7:30PM
Slán!
Thanks for joining us for live updates. Keep an eye on The 42 for Murray Kinsella’s full report and reaction from the Aviva Stadium.
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As it happened: Leinster 25-24 La Rochelle, Champions Cup
How are we doing? Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Leinster’s Champions Cup Round 3 pool meeting with their old pals La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium.
The four-time European champions host Ronan O’Gara’s two-time former champs in what will be their seventh meeting since 2021!
Leinster have won the last three and are favoured this evening, too, but it should be a lot of fun.
It’s Gavan Casey with you here and I’ll bring you a blow-by-blow account of the game — or near enough — if you can’t make it to Lansdowne Road or to a telly with Premier Sports.
Kick-off is at 5:30pm.
JJ Kenny will make his Champions Cup debut for Leinster, while Sam Prendergast has been named to start at out-half against Ronan O’Gara’s two-time European champions.
Sevens product Kenny, who has scored six tries in his five first-team appearances for his province, continues on the left wing with James Lowe still absent from Leo Cullen’s matchday squad through injury.
Props Jerry Cahir and Andrew Sparrow are both also in line to make their first Champions Cup appearances for Leinster off the bench, with Paddy McCarthy and Tom Clarkson starting to either side of Dan Sheehan in the hosts’ front row. None of Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, Tadhg Furlong or Jack Boyle have made the matchday squad.
Sam Prendergast has been selected to start at out-half, with Harry Byrne back among Leinster’s replacements following his late withdrawal from last week’s matchday squad to face Ulster.
O’Gara has named a strong La Rochelle side replete with big hitters. Talismanic forwards Uini Atonio, Will Skelton, Oscar Jegou and captain Grégory Aldritt all start, while thrilling new signings Nolann le Garrec and David Niniashvilli will face Leinster for the first time in Rochelais colours.
Still, La Rochelle are, like their hosts, beset with injuries to senior players.
As well as longer-term absentee Jonathan Danty, starting hooker Pierre Bourgarit and fellow French international Paul Boudehent are still unavailable. So too are former France U20 lock Matthias Haddad, Fijian back Semi Lagivala, and Fijian-Australian wing Suliasi Vunivalu, while Ireland international Ultan Dillane has also been ruled out for today’s game.
Matthew Carley will be the man in the middle when the rival clubs meets once more in Dublin on Saturday evening.
Leinster
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Tommy O’Brien
13. Rieko Ioane
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Joshua Kenny
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Paddy McCarthy
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Jack Conan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (Captain)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Diarmuid Mangan
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Harry Byrne
23. Andrew Osborne
La Rochelle
15. Dillyn Leyds
14. Jack Nowell
13. Jules Favre
12. Simeli Daunivucu
11. Davit Niniashvili
10. Ihaia West
9. Nolann le Garrec
1. Reda Wardi
2. Tolu Latu
3. Uini Atonio
4. Charles Kante Samba
5. Will Skelton
6. Oscar Jegou
7. Levani Botia
8. Grégory Alldritt (Captain)
Replacements:
16. Quentin Lespiaucq
17. Louis Penverne
18. Aleksandre Kuntelia
19. Kane Douglas
20. Kirill Fraindt
21. Thomas Berjon
22. Antoine Hastoy
23. Nathan Bollengier
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Will the eastern province earn a fourth straight victory over La Rochelle?
Poll Results:
The Big Man is back in Dublin.
To be fair, Will Skelton’s last visit here in club colours wound up a 40-13 defeat to Leinster.
It’s not all animosity, or as the La Rochelle head coach might say in a powerful Cork accent, animosité.
Kick-off on the way shortly!
Ian Madigan just predicted a La Rochelle win on Premier Sports. Both he and fellow pundit Rob Kearney are expecting an extremely tight game.
Bear in mind Leinster were favoured by as many as 21 points earlier in the week, with the bookmakers initially presuming that La Rochelle would send a second-string team.
1′ – LEIN 0-0 LAR: Sam Prendergast gets us underway at the Aviva!
2′ – LEIN 0-0 LAR: Leinster win a penalty advantage for hands in the ruck inside the La Rochelle half. They swing wide left at speed, with Joshua Kenny edged into touch just seven or eight yards from the French line. Advantage over.
And La Rochelle then throw the lineout straight to Leinster! But they turn the hosts over on the ground a couple of phases later, exiting at the second time of asking.
And here come the handbags.
Ah, what a brilliant start to this one!
3′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JOSHUA KENNY ON HIS FIRST CHAMPIONS CUP START!
Leinster create a numerical advantage on the left-hand side of La Rochelle’s 22′. Frawley and O’Brien combine to send Kenny over for a superb, stretched, flying finish in the left-hand corner!
Prendergast’s conversion is off the mark, but Leinster lead early in Dublin after a breathtaking start!
6′ – LEIN 5-0 LAR: Leinster applying more pressure, winning the aerial battle so far. Robbie Henshaw chips in behind and La Rochelle are forced to contend with a lineout just outside their own 5′. They win it an exit, but Nolann le Garrec’s box kick remains in play.
Back come Leinster. They look on it, bigtime.
8′ – LEIN 5-0 LAR: La Rochelle hanging in there. They strip Frawley in contact inside their own 22′ and Davit Niniashvilli clears downfield. But back come Leinster once more!
9′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JOSHUA KENNY AGAIN! EIGHT TRIES IN SIX GAMES!
Rieko Ioane charges down an exit from Ihiah West and Kenny pounces to dive over in the left-hand corner once more!
Prendergast is good from the tee, and Leinster lead 12-0 after a dominant start in Dublin.
11′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle win a penalty for hands in the ruck inside the Leinster half. French lineout in the Leinster 22′. A foothold.
12′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle knock on the door and O’Brien is binned for a deliberate knock-on, disguised as an attempted tackle. Fair decision.
La Rochelle’s attack breaks down on the Leinster 5′ but they’ve got the pen when play resumes.
Ciarán Frawley, however, is receiving treatment, so we’re paused for the moment.
13′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Frawley testing his left ankle. I doubt he’ll continue, looks to be lacking power in that leg now.
Indeed, Andrew Osborne is on for Frawley now. That’s a blow for Leinster.
La Rochelle will restart with a five-metre lineout against the 14-man hosts. And they botch the lineout entirely! Leinster escape through the boot of Henshaw.
14′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Jues Favre takes an accidental knee to the head from Jack Conan as he gathers a loose ball in his own 22′. Play stopped again. He’ll surely need a HIA — but he’s up and conscious, thankfully.
Ronan O’Gara looks forlorn in the away coaching box. His side’s lineout has malfunctioned so far and Leinster have been absolutely ruthless.
14′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Play resumes with a La Rochelle scrum after the head injury to Favre — it’s the first scrum of the game.
Paddy McCarthy versus Uini Atonio: La Rochelle win a free-kick as McCarthy is accused of ‘over-leaning’ by referee Matthew Carley.
17′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Leinster are giving La Rochelle a hosing in the air. The French side look rattled every time a Leinster player kicks the ball.
Jack Nowell just batted one back into open country despite the fact that he was unchallenged under the high ball!
19′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Wow, Levani Botia carves a hole in Leinster’s defence and, into open grass, decides to kick ahead despite having two men outside him!
Osborne taps the ball dead inside the Leinster in-goal. Botia’s teammates appear perplexed.
La Rochelle are trying to play, and they’ve shown glimpses of attacking potency, but their accuracy and decision-making is well below the level needed to win this game — so far, anyway.
20′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle lineout outside the Leinster 5′ after another home infringement — and Joe McCarthy blows up the La Rochelle maul as Oscar Jegou fumbles the ball during the setup! Leinster then win a penalty and the Aviva goes nuts.
22′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Leinster blast La Rochelle off their own ball inside the visitors’ half and Jack Conan wins the jackal penalty!
Prendergast line-kicks the home side into the La Rochelle 22′. Lineout Leinster. They’re enjoying this!
23′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Botia makes up for his earlier error in attack with a huge jackal penalty near his own 5′. That’s a big stand by La Rochelle, in fairness, but they’re hanging on by their fingernails here.
The 36-year-old Botia rolling back the years at the breakdown.
25′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Leinster have made six clean breaks to La Rochelle’s one. It’s been one-way traffic.
Botia, though, is going to work: he rips one from Caelan Doris. Leinster reef it back off next phase but knock it on, and La Rochelle get the reprieve of a scrum put-in on their own 10′.
27′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: Incredible poach penalty win by Aldritt inside Leinster’s half.
West line-kicks La Rochelle into the Leinster 22′.
They’ve been here three times previously and made a total balls of it each time.
29′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle batter at the Leinster 5′ and the hosts are pinged for offside. With pen advantage, West — or somebody — tries a 40-metre bridge pass out right to Jack Nowell, but he’s in touch and Carley will bring it back for the pen.
29′ – LEIN 12-0 LAR: La Rochelle opt for a scrum on the Leinster 5′. Leinster have held firm in the three scrums so far — but they yield here.
Advantage La Rochelle and they attack left!
30′ – TRY FOR LA ROCHELLE! Niniashvili in the left-hand corner!
La Rochelle attack the short side, O’Brien has no option but to bite in, and Antoine Hastoy — on for Jules Favre (head injury) — feeds the flying Georgian who just about dots down.
Nolann le Garrec converts from the touchline and just like that, O’Gara’s side are back in this one.
33′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Botia wins his third turnover in the La Rochelle 22′!
But Leinster are back on the attack in La Rochelle’s half.
35′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Full-blooded, halfway line action. La Rochelle smashing into Leinster carriers. It’s extremely intense.
Crowd on Matthew Carley’s back but he’s had about as good a game as could be possible amid the chaos!
36′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: La Rochelle win a scrum penalty, this one against Tom Clarkson, and West gives them a lineout just shy of the Leinster 22′.
The French side are getting on top in the scrum battle after some early parity.
38′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Joe McCarthy is yellow-carded for an offside as Oscar Jegou makes a big break.
Leinster had previously had a firm warning due to penalties conceded. Still not convinced by that one, truth be told.
La Rochelle attacking deep in Leinster’s 22 — but the ball is knocked loose and Leinster earn a scrum on their own 5′!
This is breathless stuff. La Rochelle are firmly in this game now.
We’ve got a serious game on our hands, folks!
Two tries for Joshua Kenny during an early period of Leinster dominance, and a riposte from David Niniashvili as La Rochelle wrestled their way back into the game, leave this beautifully poised.
Catch you in 15!
41′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Leinster produced a huge second half last week to dispose of Connacht after a competitive opening 40.
It’ll be a lot harder today, but let’s see.
Buckle up, folks!
43′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Incredible La Rochelle attack after a beautiful break by Le Garrec down the right edge — but they blow it on the opposite wing as an over-the-shoulder offload — was it by Botia? — pinballs into touch.
A serious start to the second half by the visitors but once more their decision-making and execution in the final moment lets them down.
Paddy McCarthy is going off injured, meanwhile, with Jerry Cahir on for his Champions Cup debut. Cahir versus Uini Atonio. What a moment for the young man.
Leinster lineout on their own 5′.
43′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Gibson-Park clears to outside the Leinster 22′. Lineout La Rochelle.
46′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: INCREDIBLE defensive stand by Leinster as they repel a sustained La Rochelle attack and counter-ruck them off their own ball.
Leinster exit and here come La Rochelle once more!
47′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: La Rochelle create an almost certain try — and they knock it on at the final moment once again!
Niniashvili inside to Wardi with the line at his mercy! Hastoy gets in his way and the front-row drops it forward! The Aviva goes nuts once more.
This is exhilarating stuff. But La Rochelle have missed chance after chance to start this second half!
Joe McCarthy back on after his sin-bin, too.
Leinster scrum on their own 5′ — a big one for Jerry Cahir. His first in the Champions Cup.
48′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Wardi, whose joint error led to the scrum, then concedes a free in the scrum for an early push!
Leinster escape once more.
50′ – LEIN 12-7 LAR: Tommy O’Brien, superb so far, makes 50 metres off a Leinster scrum — but La Rochelle scramble and counter-ruck the hosts off their own ball — a mirror image of what Conan and co. did to them just a moment ago!
Hastoy then kicks a 50-22!
What a game this is.
54′ – LEIN 12-10 LAR: La Rochelle win a scrum penalty just outside the Leinster 22′ — and they’re going to take a shot at goal.
The scrum came from a Le Garrec pass which hit Carley, not really the ref’s fault. But a frustrating one for Leinster given their power deficit at the scrum currently.
56′ – LEIN 12-10 LAR: Leinster get a nice platform with a lineout just shy of the La Rochelle 10′ after a bout of kick tennis.
They cough up possession with a forward pass almost immediately, however, and La Rochelle have a scrum near halfway.
58′ – LEIN 12-10 LAR: Daunivucu scythes through the Leinster defence and takes it close — but his attempted offload hits the deck and is spilled forward with the line at La Rochelle’s mercy once again. Another chance blown by the visitors!
Wow.
60′ – TRY FOR LA ROCHELLE! IHIAH WEST!
It’s a deserved score by La Rochelle, who have been on top in this second half.
A goal-line assault after big carries by Skelton and Botia yields a walk-in score for West, and Le Garrec converts from the right-hand side.
La Rochelle, from 12 points down early, lead at the Aviva Stadium!
61′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Harry Byrne, on for Prendergast this instant, miscues the restart. It doesn’t go 10. La Rochelle win a scrum on halfway.
One of those errors that only happens when things are already going wrong.
But still plenty of road to run in this game… and just like that, Leinster win a scrum penalty against one of the replacement La Rochelle props!
62′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Leinster lineout on the La Rochelle 22′. This is about as advanced as Leinster have been up the field in the second half so far, save for one earlier Tommy O’Brien break.
A brilliant attacking platform and a chance to catch a breather en route. Let’s see what they’ve got.
63′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Leinster get the lineout all wrong and La Rochelle have broken up the other way. They’re attacking outside the Leinster 22′!
63′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Daunivucu carries it to within five but Sam Prendergast — still on the field; my apologies, Harry Byrne is on for Andrew Osborne — initiates a choke tackle! Scrum Leinster! The Aviva lets out a roar!
65′ – LEIN 12-17 LAR: Leinster exit, just about, up towards halfway after a bit of a crapshoot at the breakdown inside their own 22′.
Gibson-Park with an excellent box-kick to touch.
67′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JOSH VAN DER FLIER!
Out of nothing!
Prendergast’s soft hands, and Leinster put Van der Flier away in space down the right! He has the gas to make it all the way from 40-odd metres and the Aviva erupts!
Prendergast’s kick from the right is off the mark, but Leinster are back in this after a very, very difficult third quarter!
69′ – LEIN 17-17 LAR: Just the same as happened to Harry Byrne after La Rochelle’s last try, Ihiah West makes a hames of the restart and Leinster have a scrum on halfway.
Has this one turned? What a final 11 or so minutes we have in store.
71′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! ROBBIE HENSHAW!
YES IT HAS TURNED! LEINSTER LEAD!
Gibson-Park, Conan, out to Henshaw who finishes down the right! Again, a try out of very little!
Harry Byrne’s conversion comes back off the post, but Leinster have hung in there and somehow taken the lead with just minutes remaining!
73′ – LEIN 22-17 LAR: La Rochelle have a scrum between the Leinster 10′ and 22′.
They win a penalty advantage, which they’re unable to use. But they decide to go to the corner instead of taking the three points!
74′ – LEIN 22-17 LAR: Rieko Ioane with the turnover on the ground on his own 5′! What a noise from the home crowd! A huge stop for Leinster!
77′ – TRY FOR LA ROCHELLE! IHIAH WEST AGAIN!
The visitors’ pressure becomes relentless and Leinster’s defence eventually creaks. West, in acres, finds the angle and crashes over centre-right.
Le Garrec — stone-cold from the tee so far — with a chance to give La Rochelle a late, late lead — and he’s done it!
Wow! Leinster have three minutes to respond!
79′ – LEIN 22-24 LAR: A Leinster attack on the La Rochelle 10′ is halted by a Tommy O’Brien knock-on!
La Rochelle fly-hack the ball as far as the Leinster in-goal area. Joshua Kenny dots down. Goal-line drop-out — and Leinster win a penalty on their own 10′!
80′ – LEIN 22-24 LAR: Leinster lineout inside the La Rochelle 22′. Clock red.
Three points will do it. This is it.
81′ – LEIN 22-24 LAR: PENALTY LEINSTER! A CHANCE TO WIN IT FROM THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE!
HARRY BYRNE HAS DONE IT WITH THE FINAL KICK OF THE GAME! LEINSTER ESCAPE WITH VICTORY!
Wow, wow, wow.
What a game.
Leinster survive an almighty battle to win it by the narrowest of margins. Harry Byrne with a penalty from the right-hand side, maybe 35 metres from goal, with the final play of the game.
La Rochelle were brilliant, and they’ll be kicking themselves that they conspired to lose the game from a Leinster goal-line drop-out with about a minute to go.
But Leinster win their seventh straight game and La Rochelle collapse in despair!
Four in a row for Leinster against Ronan O’Gara and their French rivals. Jeez, you’d watch that every week if you could.
Thanks for joining us for live updates. Keep an eye on The 42 for Murray Kinsella’s full report and reaction from the Aviva Stadium.
Take care and catch you next time!
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