As Leinster prepare for the latest chapter in their rivalry with La Rochelle, second-row Joe McCarthy is eagerly anticipating the challenge that awaits in France.
The two sides have met five times since 2021, with Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle denying Leinster European glory in the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup finals—both decided in fiercely contested games.
Last season, however, Leinster had the upper hand. A hard-fought victory in the group stage in France was followed by a dominant performance in the quarter-finals.
For McCarthy, there’s no underestimating the magnitude of the task ahead.
“We know them well, and they know us quite well, so it adds a different factor to the game. It probably brings a bit more edge to it,” McCarthy said.
“They’re such a top-quality side. They’ve been in three of the last four finals. We know we have to be at our best to beat them.
“Most of the games we’ve played against them have been one-score games or decided by just a couple of points. It’ll probably come down to the wire again.”
In last season's group stage encounter, Leinster battled to a 16-9 victory in gruelling conditions. The physicality of the contest was evident, and McCarthy knows this weekend will demand a similar effort.
While Leinster have faced criticism in the past for coming up short against Europe’s elite sides, McCarthy thrives on physical battles and is relishing another chance to test himself.
“They’re the best games to play in,” he said. “Especially because La Rochelle have one of the biggest packs in Europe.
“I remember last year when we went to La Rochelle—it was really tough conditions and hard to get anything going. We took our opportunities in their 22, and there weren’t many because they’re excellent at scrambling defensively. We need to punish them when we get those chances.”
McCarthy is confident Leinster can match La Rochelle’s physicality but knows execution will be key.
“I love those physical, tight games. It’s going to come down to set-pieces and how we front up physically.
“I have loads of confidence in our scrum, lineout, and maul, but we still have to deliver on the day. You have to turn up, execute your plan, and be physical.”
In a significant boost for Leinster—and Ireland fans—Hugo Keenan, Ciarán Frawley, and Thomas Clarkson are all fit and available for selection.
Keenan has not played since Ireland’s win over Australia in November, while Frawley has recovered from an injury sustained during Leinster’s victory over Bristol in December.
In further good news, Tadhg Furlong is nearing a return from injury, and Dan Sheehan is stepping up his recovery from an ACL injury.
