Toulon coach James Coughlan believes that Leinster have the intensity and pace to get the better of La Rochelle in this weekend’s European Champions Cup final.
Leo Cullen’s side travel to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre stadium looking to get revenge on the French outfit after defeat at penultimate stage of the competition last year.
The Munster player knows exactly what both sides are capable of, having faced La Rochelle in the Top 14 this term and he feels that Ronan O’Gara’s side can trouble Leinster but that the Irish side will ultimately prevail.
“I think if Leinster can keep the intensity in their game and play with the speed they were able to against Toulouse, it would be difficult to see them being beaten,” he said on 2fm’s Game On.
“If La Rochelle can slow it down it would be difficult.
“They’ll make it difficult but I think Leinster have just enough to go and win, unfortunately for the two Irish lads.”
“I’ll be shouting for the two Munster boys, I won’t be shouting for La Rochelle but I will be shouting for the two Munster boys.
“But I think that Leinster have the quality to go on and win it.”
Coughlan has a European final of his own to prepare for as Toulon take on Lyon in the Challenge Cup final on Friday.
The 41-year-old expects a testing encounter against his side’s Top 14 rivals who will see their coach leave for Toulon at the end of the season.
“It’s a bit different because Pierre Mignoni who is the Lyon coach at the moment will the joint manager here next year so there’s a bit of noise about that,” Coughlan said.
“We’re just trying to avoid all the press, avoid reading papers and avoid looking at stuff and just concentrate on the match and the things we can control going into what will be a big game.”
Follow Leinster v La Rochelle (Saturday 4.45pm) in the Champions Cup final via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app live or listen live on RTÉ Radio 1.
