Chiefs' victors win European Cup

La Rochelle victorious over Leinster

La Rochelle retained the Champions Cup after beating Leinster, in Dublin, for the second in a row, in an exhilarating final. 

The 2023 Champions Cup final is a repeat of last year’s where French side La Rochelle was victorious over Leinster. The defending champions [La Rochelle] take on the challengers [Leinster] at their own Aviva stadium in Dublin. Being in this stadium, I am thankful this place doesn’t have a roof. The atmosphere is unbelievable. 

Barely one minute into the European final and the fastest try in Champions Cup history is scored! Local side Leinster touched down the opener. A smart line-out, with a Leinster player running onto the short throw, ensured an elegant try was converted. The stadium went ballistic!

Leinster were unstoppable in the early stages as they piled on constant pressure to the team that knocked Exeter Chiefs out. The constant force enabled the locals to double their lead within five minutes courtesy of Jimmy O’Brien. This is outrageous, The Aviva Stadium continued to erupt. 

La Rochelle’s problems exacerbated because Leinster scored again. The hooker, Dan Sheehan touched down for the second time by bursting to the line and touching it down.  

The acrimonious La Rochelle players finally got a consolation within the early stages by getting a try back. Centre, Jonathan Danty who was causing issues against the Exeter Chiefs reduced the deficit. 

However, a costly mistake by the French side resulted in a penalty to Leinster, which resulted in an additional three points to extend their locals’ advantage. 

The game was in Leinster’s hands from early on which infuriated La Rochelle. The subtle fracs’ on the pitch were burgeoning- to some extent this went in the French sides favour- they touched down for the second time in this final.

 And following an exceptionally entertaining first half, Leinster went into the break with the advantage of 23-14. 

Although the second half didn’t start as quick as the first, the entertainment levels remained at a high. Two penalties for La Rochelle, and one for Leinster meant the match had only a few points in it going into the final 30 minutes.

Compared to 15 minutes when it looked like Leinster were going to be the obvious champions- you couldn’t tell- this match could go either way. La Rochelle were upping the ante this half, Leinster were soaking the constant pressure.

This La Rochelle team came out indefatigable this second half. Their diven maul unsettled Leinster’s once dominant defence and enabled them to get the try and a one-point advantage. 

A horror challenge by Leinster’s prop Michael Ala'alatoa resulted in him getting sent off in the last few seconds and the local side failed to assuage the one-point difference. Meaning La Rochelle could kick the ball out of play after 80 minutes to secure the title for the second year running. 

Leinster’s hopes of securing that fifth Champions cup ended in disappointment and the trophy remains in France for another year. 

Rumours are that Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell is to join La Rochelle after the rugby World Cup this summer. Sources close to one of the clubs involved say the announcement is excpected imminently.