Leinster's Garry Ringrose relishing La Rochelle rematch in huge Investec Champions Cup opening weekend clash
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Published 08/12/2023 at 12:05 GMT
The 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup starts, live on TNT Sports, with a blockbuster clash on the opening weekend as La Rochelle face Leinster in a repeat of the final for the last two years. La Rochelle have won on both previous occasions and are looking for the hat-trick this season. Leinster's Garry Ringrose is looking forward to the match and has picked out his sides to watch in the competition.
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Garry Ringrose is looking forward to the chance to get “straight into it” when Leinster face a mouthwatering Investec Champions Cup opener against defending champions La Rochelle.
La Rochelle have won the last two editions of the competition, beating Leinster in the final both times.
Revenge could be on the mind of Leinster when they meet La Rochelle again on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign, live on TNT Sports.
Pool D also contains Sale Sharks, Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers and South African side Stormers.
While it looks a difficult group to predict, Leinster’s Ringrose is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“I don’t think any pool is too appealing so I guess that’s the nature of the beast and what better way than playing La Rochelle first up and then Sale the week after to get things going,” he told TNT Sports.
“I suppose you want to test yourself against the best and La Rochelle and Sale we will have to be at our best to try and get a result. It’s straight into it, no messing.”
Leinster have made a strong start to the season, winning six of their seven opening matches in the United Rugby Championship.
They are one of the favourites to win the Investec Champions Cup as they look to go a step further than the last two years.
Asked who he sees as the leading contenders to lift the trophy, Ringrose said: “I guess that’s the brilliance of the competition, there are so many strong squads and teams.
“La Rochelle, going off their recent track record, then you have Toulouse who are probably the one that everyone is hunting down with the amount of stars they have.”
The competition kicks off on Friday, December 8 as Glasgow Warriors face Northampton Saints and Connacht Rugby take on Union Bordeaux Begles.
Then on Saturday, the competition’s most successful side, Toulouse, begin their quest for a record-extending sixth European crown at home to Cardiff. Saracens travel to Pretoria to take on South Africa's Bulls, and Bath face Ulster.
La Rochelle kick off their title defence on Sunday, December 10 with a blockbuster clash against Leinster.
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