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Ronan O'Gara is arguably Munster's greatest ever player, but on Saturday he will lead La Rochelle against his former employers.
Ronan O'Gara is arguably Munster's greatest ever player, but on Saturday he will lead La Rochelle against his former employers.
O'Gara remains Munster's all-time leading scorer and was renowned for his infamous drop goals between 1997-13, which helped him win two Champions Cups and three Pro 14's.
The Limerick legend has been in charge of La Rochelle since 2019 and hoisted the Champions Cup in 2023 but is now under pressure due to a disappointing Top 14 campaign that has resulted in them enduring a relegation battle, currently lying 10th.
La Rochelle finished second in Pool 2, while Munster ended up third in Pool 3 and are currently fifth in the URC.
Alldritt meets Coombes in heavyweight No.8 showdown
Gregory Alldritt made a round-high 23 carries last time out against Benetton, while on the other side of the ball, he didn’t miss a tackle and won two turnovers.
The France international has made an impressive 42 tackles across the campaign, but his opposite number Gavin Coombes is also enjoying a fine campaign with 38 tackles and a try despite playing a game less.
Former Exeter Chiefs and England flyer Jack Nowell has beaten as many defenders as any other player in the Champions Cup this season (21).
Munster have averaged the third-most carries per outing (143), while 86.2% of their clearouts have been effective (3rd).
The Irish side have the best lineout success rate in the competition (94.2%), with Fineen Wycherley their primary target (20 takes).
Previous meeting
Surprisingly Saturday's match will be the first time these two teams have met in the Champions Cup.
Stade Rochelais Starting XV (1-15) Reda Wardi, Pierre Bourgarit, Uini Atonio, Thomas Lavault, Will Skelton, Levani Botia, Oscar Jegou, Grégory Alldritt, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Ihaia West, Hoani Bosmorin, UJ Seuteni, Teddy Thomas, Jack Nowell, Dillyn Leyds
Stade Rochelais Replacements (16-23) Quentin Lespiaucq, Alexandre Kaddouri, Aleksandre Kuntelia, Ultan Dillane, Judicael Cancoriet, Matthias Haddad, Antoine Hastoy, Jules Favre
Munster Rugby Starting XV (1-15) Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Andrew Smith, Sean O'Brien, Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash, Thaakir Abrahams
Munster Rugby Replacements (16-23) Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen