The 2020 and 2021 Heineken Champions Cup finalists will do battle on Friday evening as La Rochelle host Racing 92 in a TOP 14 play-off semi-final decider. 

Both French sides have suffered European heartbreak in recent years, with La Rochelle having been edged out in last season’s final (17-22) by Toulouse at Twickenham Stadium, whilst Racing 92 were beaten in the 2020 final by Exeter Chiefs (31-27) at Ashton Gate. 

And you don’t have to look too far back for more European final defeats for both teams – La Rochelle having lost in the 2019 Challenge Cup final to ASM Clermont Auvergne and Racing 92 being beaten in the 2016 and 2018 Heineken Champions Cup finals to Saracens and Racing 92 respectively. 

The two sides have traded home successes in domestic action this season, with La Rochelle winning 9-6 at Stade Marcel Deflandre and Racing 92 edging out a 26-22 win at the La Defense Arena. 

Whilst La Rochelle have home advantage courtesy of their second place finish in the TOP 14, Racing 92 come into the match in blistering form, having won their last five matches including a Parisian Derby success over Stade Francais Paris last weekend.