Matt Williams: Ronan O’Gara has created a La Rochelle team with virtually no weaknesses via IrishTimesSport
In last year’s final it was O’Gara’s masterful tactics that forced Leinster to make 288 tackles while his team made a minuscule 88. La Rochelle denied Leinster’s attacking machine possession to such an extent that they failed to score a try in Marseille.These tactics worked because Leinster are the master of playing a superior brand of attacking-game speed.
In Leinster’s favour, having the final in Dublin is a huge plus because last year’s venue in southern France gave an immense advance to the French team. Last May, the number of La Rochelle supporters was so great they flooded the avenues outside the Velodrome and were a major factor in their team’s success. Factor in the spring heat in southern France and the iconic French stadium became a hot and hostile venue for the Irish.
Last year, Leinster’s mindset was to get another star on their jersey. La Rochelle came into the game transfixed on being present in every moment. Leinster must focus on the process and not the outcome. La Rochelle have no defensive weaknesses, so when Leinster run the ball they have to be tactically accurate. The place where the French have the least defensive power is the blindside. Leinster must constantly change the point of attack, hitting La Rochelle’s blindside where they are least comfortable.
On their own patch of dirt in front of their families, friends and community, every Leinster action must be dripping with positive body language, energy, enthusiasm and buckets more aggression than La Rochelle.
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