La Rochelle vs Leinster
2nd May 1500hrs
Rugby – France – Heineken Cup
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 62/25 odds taken 20:18 GMT on April 30th, 2021
French high-flyers La Rochelle have the home advantage for their Heineken Cup semi-final on the weekend.
But they are the underdogs in the match as the mighty Leinster arrive on the scene.
The Irish visitors are at a strong odds-on quote to get the win in Heineken Cup rugby betting. Will it play out that way?
Table of Contents
La Rochelle Preview – Can French side hold out at home?
This is a very tough assignment, but nothing less than you would expect in the semi-final of the European Champions Cup.
La Rochelle are on a four-match winning streak at the moment across all competitions.
They are in second place in the Top 14 and in the last round of the Heineken Cup, they decimated Sale Sharks.
La Rochelle beat the Premiership side 45-21 on home soil.
They had moved past other Premiership opposition in the form of Gloucester in the Round of 16.
La Rochelle have not gotten their hands on European silverware before.
This is actually the first time in the club’s history that they have been to the final four of the European Champions Cup.
In the match outright for this European Champions Cup rugby betting fixture, the win for La Rochelle is at 21/10* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
There has been good recent form from La Rochelle.
They have won their last four fixtures in all competitions.
So they are a confident unit at the moment. Can that carry them through to cause an upset?
From their seven previous completed home fixtures in the European Champions Cup, La Rochelle have won five.
So not a bad record at all. They have played host once before to Irish opposition.
La Rochelle claimed a massive 47-17 victory over Ulster in the 2017/18 campaign.
Without question, this is a much tougher contest than anything that they have faced in the last two rounds.
A La Rochelle +6 handicap is at even money, quite a respectable line for rugby betting* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Leinster Preview – Experience to pay off for Leinster?
Former champions Leinster are the favourites for this clash and understandably so given their status in the game.
They have won the title four times, the victories coming in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018.
Leinster are one of the big European powerhouses.
In the match outright for rugby betting in this fixture, Leinster are 2/5 odds-on* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
They are geared up for this without question.
In the Round of Sixteen, they faced Munster and cruised to a 16-6 home success against them.
It was even better in the quarter-finals as they visited the reigning champions Exeter.
Leinster once again proved their strengths with a comprehensive 34-22 success against the Chiefs, managing the game very well.
They didn’t go hard at their one fixture since then, their opening fixture in the new Rainbow Cup, losing heavily against Munster.
That’s understandable, as there is a much bigger fish to fry in the European Champions Cup.
Their record in this competition is just superb.
Leinster have won 25 of their last 28 completed fixtures in the Heineken Cup.
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Leinster have averaged 32 points per fixture in their last 25 victories in the competition, which is a staggering output.
A Leinster 6 handicap for even money in Heineken Cup rugby betting is accessible as an option* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Six of their last seven semi-finals in the competition have been against French opposition and they hold a W3 L3 record from those.
But they have won their last five fixtures against TOP 14 sides, their best ever run of form in the competition.
While La Rochelle are a threat this season, we think that it is so hard to overlook Leinster.
La Rochelle vs Leinster Betting Advice
We have to go with the bookmakers in thinking Leinster come up with the away victory.
They know what this is all about as a club and handled themselves superbly away at Exeter in the last round.
The Leinster -6 handicap is the way to go in rugby betting at even money* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Key Facts – La Rochelle vs Leinster Betting Tip
- La Rochelle are in the semi finals for the first time in their club history
- Leinster have won 25 of their last 28 fixtures in the competition
- Leinster are four-time European champions
Leinster’s record in the competition speaks for itself and we think that they have the scoring power to shut down La Rochelle.
This has been a big season of progress for the French club, but this is such a massive hurdle they face in their maiden semi.
Leinster to win by a 1-12 margin holds sway for us at 15/8 in Heineken Cup rugby betting* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
The best betting odds for La Rochelle vs Leinster
La Rochelle to win: 21/10 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
Leinster to win: 2/5 at Bet365
