For almost six months, it has felt as though the Heineken Champions Cup was heading for this – Leinster vs. La Rochelle. They’ve been the top two teams throughout the competition, dominating their respective pools. Now, meeting each other finally in the Heineken Champions Cup Final, which of these unbeaten sides will prevail in 2023?
The 2022-23 season is the second year in a row that these two clubs have made their way to the final. Last year, it was La Rochelle who pipped Leinster 24-21 in the final. Can Leinster gain their revenge and even the score this season? We break down all the latest Heineken Champions Cup odds with bookmaker William Hill and offer up our best bets ahead of the game.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: May 19th, 3:30 A.M. (GMT)
Bookmaker William Hill has this match heavily skewed in favour of Leinster. The home side is paying a low 1.33 compared to La Rochelle’s rather long odds of 3.60. With Leinster dominant throughout the Heineken Champions Cup this year, can the Irish club put the icing on this cake by delivering their home fans a comprehensive win in the final? Bookies think so with a Leinster win by 11-15 points rating as the most likely outcome at 5.50 in the odds.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: May 19th, 3:30 A.M. (GMT)
The real question is will Leinster run away with this one or can La Rochelle make this tight? The two teams have had rather contrasting campaigns to date, despite both being unbeaten.
Leinster has rarely been made to sweat in the Heineken Champions Cup. They opened their season with a 42-10 win over Racing 92 then followed it up with a 57-0 drubbing of Gloucester before the Christmas break. High scores continued in the New Year with a 49-14 return match against Gloucester and a 36-10 defeat of Racing 92. Into knockout rugby, Leinster rolled on winning 30-15 over Ulster, 55-24 over Leicester, and 41-22 over Toulouse.
With Leinster’s closest match having a 15-point margin, does La Rochelle stand a chance?
The French club has been made to sweat for their points this year. While their first match of the season was a smooth 46-12 win over Northampton, they only scraped home the week after that, 36-29 over Ulster. Another tight match with Ulster occurred after the break, 7-3, before a 31-13 win over Northampton again. In knockout rugby, La Rochelle beat Gloucester by only three points before winning comfortably 24-10 over Saracens and then defeating Exeter 47-28 in their semi-final.
Bottom line, it’s hard to see La Rochelle winning here. While Leinster put an average of 53 points on Gloucester across their two matches, La Rochelle could only manage a margin of three. This feels like a mis-match and a punt on Leicester to get their revenge by 11-15 is a strong bet.
