La Rochelle ready for Lions challenge

Lock Theo McFarland says the Lions must expect a confident La Rochelle when the teams meet in their Investec Champions Cup opener at Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday.

The Joburgers are making their debut in the competition and arrived in France on Tuesday ahead of a daunting clash against the two-time champions. La Rochelle lifted the Champions Cup in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and currently sit fourth in the French Top 14 after winning four out of six matches this season.

For the Lions, it is a chance to put last weekend’s nightmare behind them after Ivan van Rooyen’s side were thrashed 57-15 by the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

McFarland, who joined the French club from Saracens at the start of the season, believes his team is ready for the challenge.

“These types of matches are the clashes that get you excited,” he told Reuters. “We enter this first round with great confidence. We are certainly looking forward to the challenge that awaits us.”

The 31-year-old Samoan has featured in three Top 14 matches since making the move to France and is now in line for his first Champions Cup appearance for La Rochelle.

McFarland will have an added incentive to impress, with a strong performance potentially strengthening his case for Samoa selection in November’s Nations Cup campaign.

The lock has also welcomed the decision by former All Blacks Shaun Stevenson, Akira Ioane and Josh Ioane to make themselves available for Samoa.

The trio qualify under World Rugby’s eligibility regulations having not played for New Zealand during the required three-year stand-down period.

“I think it is a fantastic decision, especially with the World Cup taking place next year [in Australia],” McFarland said.

“They are quality players. I think it will, however, be very important that there is also unity within the team.”