Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has welcomed the challenge of La Rochelle in the Champions Cup this coming Saturday.
The two rugby heavyweights will meet once again in a sold-out Aviva Stadium next weekend after overcoming both of their respective round of 16 opponents last weekend.
For La Rochelle, it's another chance to nail Leinster in Dublin after beating them twice in Champions Cup finals, one of which was in Dublin last year. Leinster, on the other hand, will be looking to make it two from two after they beat the French outfit in this year's pool stages.
When asked how much better his side will have to be to follow up the win in 2023, Cullen said to a reporter, "You tell me! A bit, probably!
"It depends on how well they play. The main thing is just to control what we can, and that’s well prepared now. Prepare well for another 80-minute game.
"Some good, some bad today [against the Tigers]. We will need lots of good next week, I would imagine, but it’s a great challenge, isn’t it?"
𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙚!
Book your tickets for Leinster v La Rochelle this Saturday. 🔥 👇
🎟️
Don't miss out ➡️ https://t.co/1KS8JLIBJq #LEIvSR #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/mo4zZgDn8M— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 8, 2024
Cullen has also admitted that Leinster will have to be savvy against the streetwise La Rochelle team this weekend. It's a test that Cullen is not shying away from in Dublin this weekend.
"I watched a bit of their game. The Stormers obviously built a decent lead, but La Rochelle showed good composure. They are a pretty street-wise team. They know when to kill the game at different stages.
"We need to have a new plan and be ready for the challenge next week. We have seen plenty of each other over the last couple of seasons. It’s an amazing challenge; hopefully, it will be a great occasion here next Saturday."
The Irish province has been boosted by the news that Ross Byrne is set to be fit for the game. Byrne left the field after 67 minutes of the team’s last-16 victory over Leicester after picking up a shoulder injury.
Cian Healy, who entered as a replacement against the Tigers but later left due to a leg injury, is under assessment. Centre Ringrose continues shoulder injury rehab; status is pending for availability. Scrum-half Luke McGrath cleared return-to-play protocols post-head injury, joining full training.
Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Ciarán Frawley, and Andrew Porter reported no issues post-victory. Charlie Ngatai and Jimmy O'Brien are nearing their return, pending further assessment for calf and neck issues, respectively. There are no updates on James Ryan, Tommy O’Brien, or Alex Soroka's injuries.
