The French club, which will play its third consecutive final in this competition, had beaten the Irish province (24-21) last season in the final in Marseille.
Ronan O'Gara's men, winners with Munster as players (2006, 2008) and La Rochelle as coach (2022), equalled a record held by Toulouse (2003, 2004, 2005) and Toulon (2013, 2014, 2015), who were also finalists three times in a row.
Ronan O'Gara on April 30, 2023 before the semi-final of the Champions Cup won by La Rochelle against Exeter (47-28). The Irish Maritime coach won the competition as a player with Munster (2006, 2008) and in charge of La Rochelle, in 2022 © ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP/Archives
But to dream of a second continental star, the Rochelais will have to face the Irish ogre, who fell to Toulouse in the other semi-final (41-22) and in search of a fifth European title.
To earn the right to challenge Leinster at home, the caravel club outclassed the English Chiefs by scoring seven tries, by Raymond Rhule (9th, 44th), UJ Seuteni (23rd), Gregory Alldritt (32nd), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (39th, 68th), Pierre Bourgarit (53rd).
South African winger Raymond Rhule scored twice in La Rochelle qualifier, who beat Exeter 47-28 on April 30, 2023. La Rochelais will challenge Leinster in the final of the Champions Cup on May 20 in Dublin © ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP/Archives
The Champions Cup final is scheduled for May 20 in Dublin, the day after the Challenge Cup final, which will pit Toulon against Scotland's Glasgow.
© 2023 AFP