Champions Cup Knockouts: La Rochelle's Title Defense Odds and Tough Road Ahead
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After the Six Nations, the rugby world's focus will shift to the Champions Cup knockouts. It was a great group stage and looks to be an exciting knockout period. It will be interesting. Some teams will have to compete away from home in a tough contest. La Rochelle are the defending champions. They will travel to South Africa to face the Stormers in the round of 16. It would be a tough challenge for anyone, but if anyone can win out there, it’s the French club. Their odds to win the title are 15/2, and with their pedigree in the competition, it's hard to bet against.
La Rochelle Are Going To South Africa
It was a disappointing group stage for the club as they suffered two losses. The first one was at home against Leinster. It was a huge win for the Irish side because it is very difficult to do. The second loss was to the Stormers who they will face in the round of 16. La Rochelle did not get home advantage. They would have felt they could have won both games. They will now use their experience in the tournament. In hopes it will propel them to the finals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They have all the tools to get victories away from home.
What Makes Them Great
La Rochelle's physicality and ability to dominate set pieces make them great. They have shown the ability to create something from nothing and can score anytime. The team focuses on the Champions Cup, not their domestic league, the Top 14. This focus has won them two titles in a row. Many teams struggle to keep up with their physicality. It is excellent when they're playing away. It could set the tone for the match. If La Rochelle is fit going into the knockout stages, then there's no reason why they can't go all the way.
Key Players
Of course, they have had to have many great players to be as successful as La Rochelle has been over the years. The first one that comes to mind is the giant Australian Will Skelton, a massive figure in the La Rochelle pack. The team's second key player is centre Jonathan Danty. The Frenchman is a great ball carrier and a defensive rock. Finally, French international Uini Antonio is one of the best props in the game today. All these players produce their best for La Rochelle.
La Rochelle is a great team, and on their day, they are unbeatable.