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

Laura Taouchanov / Photo credit: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP 12:21 pm, May 20, 2023

The day after the victory of Rugby Club Toulonnais in the final of the Challenge Cup against Glasgow (19-43), it is the turn of La Rochelle to face Leinster in the final of the Champions Cup. A major challenge for the Stade Rochelais, which will play at 17:45 in Dublin to a sold-out crowd. The 57,000 tickets at Aviva Stadium were stormed. The success is such that to allow fans to come and support their team, Ryanair has chartered two additional planes from La Rochelle. Europe 1 went to meet them when they arrived in Ireland.

"I bet 100% on the victory of La Rochelle"

Under the astonished eyes of some tourists who ignore the rugby news, a swarm of passengers in yellow and black jerseys passes the arrivals doors. "I bet 100% on the victory of La Rochelle. No, it's going to be a great game, a very nice game. But it will be played again, like last year on the last moments, "says Laurent, who came especially for the occasion.

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Given the 400 euros that costs a hotel night at the last minute, fortunately Laurent and his friends are ahead of the game. "When you are passionate about the Stade Rochelais, you anticipate," smiles one of the members of the group. "The hotel has been booked since September. We were crossing our fingers that it would be La Rochelle so it's great," added another supporter.

Especially since the good mood began as soon as the flight to Dublin. "There was a nice atmosphere but also a bit focused. And the atmosphere, we will put it in the French way and especially in the Rochelaise, "says Laurent. The words of captain Gregory Aldridge, Friday in a press conference, say a lot about the state of mind: "we are here to do the job and we keep the emotions for Sunday," said the player from La Rochelle.