La Rochelle vs Toulouse
22nd May 16:45hrs
Rugby – England – European Champions Cup Final
Pick Toulouse – 3 handicap
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 10/11odds taken 23:19 GMT on 18th May, 2021
Heineken Cup Final rugby betting is the big highlight of the weekend, as we look forward to an all-French affair.
The final is being hosted at Twickenham as La Rochelle and Toulouse battle it out for glory.
It is Toulouse who are heading into the match as the favourites, but as they proved in the semi-finals against Leinster, La Rochelle look keen on making some history.
Table of Contents
La Rochelle Preview – Can La Rochelle win on Final debut?
La Rochelle have already broken new ground this season having reached the final of the Champions Cup for the first time.
Head coach Ronan O’Gara has done a tremendous job with the club. He’s quickly been regarded as one of the most exciting coaches around.
He has instilled a big factor of keeping the ball alive with hands through the front five.
It’s injected a whole new level of performance and status for La Rochelle.
Will it guide them to their first-ever piece of European silverware?
In the match outright for the Heineken Cup Final betting, there is a quote of 11/8 on the La Rochelle win* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on 18th May 2021)
That leaves them as underdogs against the experienced Toulon, but certainly not without hope.
La Rochelle were up against it in the semi-finals, as they played host to Leinster.
The French side had been underdogs there but came through with a powerful 32-23 victory on the day.
That added to knockout-phase wins over Premiership opposition Gloucester and Sale Sharks.
La Rochelle have scored at least 27 points in each of their last three fixtures in the competition.
After beating Leinster in the semi-final, La Rochelle lost their following two games back in the Top 14.
But they avoided making it three defeats in a row with a victory over Agen last weekend.
They are second in the league table on the domestic front, one point behind Saturday’s opponents Toulouse.
So the form has played out in that regard.
A La Rochelle +3 handicap is at a quote of 10/11 for Heineken Cup Final rugby betting* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on 18th May 2021).
Obviously, these two teams know each other well from the Top 14. But this will be the first time that they have met in Europe.
Toulouse Preview – Can Toulouse make history?
Given the lineup that Toulouse can boast, it’s no real surprise that they have made it to the showcase match.
The powerhouses could make history on Saturday by winning a record 5th European Champions Cup title.
Interestingly, three of their four previous titles came in all-French fixtures.
This season on the road to the Final, which is their first for just over a decade, Toulouse have beaten Clermont, Bordeaux and Munster in the knockouts.
They really set a strong mark by taking a 40-33 away win in a pulsating Round of 16 fixture away at Munster.
Their subsequent victories over Clermont and then Bordeaux in the semis were far more routine.
Toulouse are the 8/13 odds-on favourites in the match outright for Heineken Cup Final rugby betting* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on 18th May 2021).
They will have to do all this without their captain Julien Marchand who is banned for a dangerous tackle in the semi-finals.
But they are stacked with talent regardless. None bigger perhaps than scrum-half Antoine Dupont who has had a stunning tournament.
He has scored four tries in four Champions Cup matches this season, more than any other scrum-half.
Dupont sets the pace in matches and launches the phenomenal backline that they have.
Then there is their game-changer Cheslin Kolbe lurking on the wing.
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Toulouse To Win Both Halves in rugby betting is at a quote of 2/1 for Saturday’s Final* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on 18th May 2021).
What does the head to head have to say to guide rugby betting?
In his season’s Top 14, Toulouse came out on top on both occasions. There was a convincing 39-23 win in September last year.
Then at the end of February this year, they ground out a three-point margin win on the road at La Rochelle.
Toulouse have won 6 of their last 7 meetings with La Rochelle.
Will they make it count on the biggest stage against them at Twickenham?
La Rochelle vs Toulouse Betting Advice
We can only think that the extra space on the Twickenham playing surface is going to make Toulouse more of a threat.
Their back line is dynamic and almost unplayable at times. Their little General Antoine Dupont is easily the best scrum-half in Europe right now.
He is a game-changer and we think he guides Toulouse to success. A Toulouse -3 handicap for rugby betting looks like a reasonable entry point at 10/11* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on 18th May 2021)..
Key Facts – La Rochelle vs Toulouse Betting Tip
- La Rochelle are playing for their first piece of European silverware
- La Rochelle have lost 6 of their last 7 matches against Toulouse
- Toulouse would claim a record 5th Heineken Cup with a win
Toulouse are just a star-studded team and while they are missing influential captain Marchand, they can cope.
La Rochelle have had a remarkable season under Ronan O’Gara. He has done wonders for the club.
But the head to head suggests that this is going Toulouse’s way. A Toulouse 1-10 winning margin is on the radar at 15/8* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on 18th May 2021).
The best betting odds for La Rochelle vs Toulouse
La Rochelle to win: 11/8 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Toulouse to win: 8/13 at Bet365
