La Rochelle retained the Champions Cup by breaking Leinster’s hearts for the second year running in a thrilling final in Dublin.
Leo Cullen’s side opened up a 17-0 lead after three tries in 12 minutes but La Rochelle fought back and Georges-Henri Colombe’s late try sealed victory.
Ronan O’Gara felt his La Rochelle side were disrespected in the build up to the match by Leinster and hailed his troops for overcoming a nightmare start. O’Gara, who made 240 appearances for Leinster’s biggest rivals Munster, said: “It was incredibly good because we were on the ropes. Six minutes in it’s 12-0, 11 m...