La Rochelle will go home knowing they could have won it | Match Report

Another thriller plays out between Leinster and La Rochelle as the rivally continues to deliver. For large parts of the first half Leinster looked like they would run away with things but the visitors held on and clawed back into the game just ahead of half time. Levani Botia was almost man alone providing issues for the Leinster defence while Will Skelton and Gregory Alldritt got stuck into the Leinster players, sometimes causing issues after the whistle.

Joshua Kenny scored his first two Champions Cup tries while making his debut in the competition and helped Leinster to a small lead at half time.

The second half saw the visitors come out from a half time talk with Ronan O'Gara and hit their straps. The started straight away linking together with silky skills and expansive rugby but were often stopped by super Leinster defence or wasteful play by themselves. They left at least two tries out there as they took themselves deep into the Leinster 22 but failed to capitalise.

Leinster did what they do best and absorbed the pressure following it up with scores of their own and took a 22-17 lead with 10 minutes to play after Robbie Henshaw scored. Ihaia West then bagged his second try of the game and the hosts were staring down the barrell of a unlikely home loss.

With the clock in the red and a penalty deep in the La Rochelle half, Harry Byrne stepped up and slotted the kick to secure a big win for Leinster