Leinster-La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final: many La Rochelle supporters made the trip to Dublin

The day after Rugby Club Toulonnais won the Challenge Cup final against Glasgow (19-43), it was La Rochelle’s turn to face Leinster in the Champions Cup final. A major challenge for Stade La Rochelle, which will play at 5:45 p.m. in Dublin to a sold-out crowd. The 57,000 tickets at the Aviva stadium were taken by storm. The success is such that to allow supporters to come and support their team, Ryanair has chartered two additional planes departing from La Rochelle. Europe 1 went to meet them when they arrived in Ireland.

“I bet 100% on the La Rochelle victory”

Under the astonished eyes of a few tourists who are unaware of rugby news, a swarm of passengers in yellow and black jerseys pass through the arrivals gates. “I’m betting 100% on La Rochelle’s victory. No, it’s going to be a great match, a very good match. But it will be played out once again, like last year in the last moments”, advances Laurent, who came especially for the ‘occasion.

Considering the 400 euros that a hotel night costs at the last minute, fortunately Laurent and his friends have taken the lead. “When you are passionate about Stade Rochelais, you anticipate,” smiles one of the members of the group. “The hotel has been booked since September. We crossed our fingers that it was La Rochelle so it’s great,” adds another supporter.

Especially since the good mood started from the flight to Dublin. “There was a nice atmosphere but also a little concentrated. And the atmosphere, we are going to put it in the French way and especially in La Rochelaise”, assures Laurent. The words of captain Gregory Aldridge, Friday at a press conference, speak volumes about the state of mind: “we are here to do the job and we save the emotions for Sunday,” said the La Rochelle player.