Should Leinster fear La Rochelle?

[@hungryhippo09]

The number of injuries La Rochelle have atm may be the key factor this coming week (Danty, Skelton, several wingers, Bourgarit). But especially at home they're a team that deserve respect, and should be approached with caution. I'd hazard a hard-fought Leinster win, but it'll be the season's toughest game so far.

[@conormarren]

Skelton out is the key

[@inamortz2372]

Leinster will find innovative ways of making things difficult for themselves.

[@fragmentedtheory]

How dare you say something so true 😂

[@Natedawg38]

Yes. La Rochelle should never be underestimated and leinster know that more than anyone.

[@paulnash5500]

LRS at home, will be up for Sunday's game 100%. It will be Leinsters' toughest game, so far this season. If both teams click, I think Leinster have the edge with their new signings. The subs bench will be very important, especially if it's dry weather. Question: When is Tadbh Furlong coming back? The poor fella has got very injury prome of late.

[@eoinh3816]

Bordeaux and Toulouse are on another level to La Rochelle this season. Leinster beat them twice last year, including hammering them at Dublin. If Leinster lose to them they’re in big trouble.

[@brianboyle2681]

Leinster don't have a hope of winning Europe this year. Finally winning the URC will be a realistic return. La Rochelle got made fools of by Toulouse also this weekend. There is no way they'll give another shit performance at home in a row, whatever about injuries.

[@eoinh3816]

@ Thanks for clarifying you’re a Munster fan. Leinster were a inch of the posts away from beating Toulouse in regular time last year, so not sure what logic your basing you silly opinion on

[@brianboyle2681]

@@eoinh3816 I am a Leinster fan. Have you seen Toulouse this year? And has Leinster's backline progressed in any respect beyond signing Barrett?

[@davidwalker2402]

@@brianboyle2681yeah it has and it will further , how many games should they win before you recognize them , how many games have they struggled in looked like losing ? Unbeaten and you say “THEY HAVENT A HOPE “ Munster fan alright.

[@paulennis2996]

I don't think as much hinges on this one game one way or another... If Leinster win it doesn't really tell us much and doesn't set them up for a run to the final because there are likely to be 2 or 3 teams finishing with a higher seeding. But equally, home runs to the final have not helped Leinster for the last 3 seasons. Maybe defeat in January leading to a tough QF win away from home is exactly what they need to create real momentum through the knockouts.

[@tomgreene1843]

With a stuttering attack and line out dodgy it will be difficult to get a win away.

[@readesiun988]

Should Leinster fear La Rochelle? yes. Lets be honest, Leinster since Stuart Lancaster left are really struggling on the attack front. They are scrapping wins against average teams. La Rochelle have a serious amount of injuries at the moment but will still be a force at home. Then later Toulouse and Bordeaux are on a different level, unless there is some drastic change in Leinsters attack.

[@desmondwixted7862]

Who is Munsters coach again?

[@colmgeiran3476]

Every team should fear Bordeaux and especially Toulouse this year. It'll take a flawless performance to beat either of those French squads. Rochelle, on the other hand, are not as clinical as they were before. Snyman and Barret will be the difference this year.

[@eoinh3816]

@@colmgeiran3476 Ah jays take it easy on Bordeaux. They lost at home to Quins last year and Ulster pushed them close for 60 mins. Look at Leinsters team on paper and only Penaud and Bielle Barrey would get in the Leinster team. People love drama and to write Leinster off based off nothing.

[@karlbittel4707]

As a die hard Leinster supporter I can say that Leinster don’t have a dog’s chance of beating Toulouse at the end of the tournament

[@Cpchurch87]

I honestly thought the same last year, and we were inches off it. They rely so much on Dupont, shut him down they are vulnerable. I think we have a better pack and defence (Toulouse can tend to concede more than they should and just rely on scoring more, something you don't often see with a full strength Leinster. They can be very stingy when at their best) We can beat them, but need defence at 100% and attack needs to step up a few notches

[@daithipol]

​@Cpchurch87 and a ridiculous yellow for Lowe after allowing a similar transgression in the first half for Toulouse. Where was mack hansen then? 😂

[@Cpchurch87]

@@daithipol exactly!

[@Clarkgravel]

I tend to agree with you, mainly based on last year. Remember, Toulouse are bloody good, but they‘re not unbeatable.