It’ll be the fourth time the teams have faced off in the past four seasons. We look back at those recent meetings in anticipation of another colossal clash next season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x39sGc6OWyQ

2021 Semi-Final – Stade Rochelais 32-23 Leinster Rugby

La Rochelle progressed to the Heineken Champions Cup final for the first time after a stunning win over the four-time champions at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Leinster opened the scoring with a try from Tadhg Furlong converted by Ross Byrne as they opened up a 13-12 interval lead, but it was all La Rochelle after the break.

Second-half tries from Grégory Alldritt and Will Skelton as well as 22 points from the boot of Ihaia West secured success for the French outfit, who outplayed the Irish province in the latter stages despite a late consolation try from Byrne, who finished with 18 points.

Stade Rochelais ultimately lost in the final to Stade Toulousain 22-17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtaNHm6iC74

2022 Final – Stade Rochelais 24-21 Leinster Rugby

La Rochelle made no mistake just over 12 months later in a thrilling final at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille, where a last-gasp try from Arthur Retière gave the TOP 14 side their first EPCR trophy In front of a raucous crowd of 59,682.

They trailed for much of the game, but tries from Raymond Rhule and Pierre Bourgarit allied to nine points from Ihaia West’s boot kept them in touch, before replacement Retière squeezed over late on to clinch victory.

In response, Johnny Sexton kicked six penalties and Ross Byrne one, but Leinster’s lack of tries eventually proved their downfall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dET6dssHiwE&pp=ygUUbGVpbnN0ZXIgbGEgcm9jaGVsbGU%3D

2023 Final – Leinster Rugby 26-27 Stade Rochelais

Stade Rochelais staged an even more dramatic comeback last month to retain the Heineken Champions Cup in Dublin as they recovered from 17 points down to beat Leinster on their own Aviva Stadium ground.

Leinster looked on course for a record-equalling fifth crown when Dan Sheehan (2) and Jimmy O’Brien crossed inside the first quarter of an hour, but they could only add three Ross Byrne penalties from that point and La Rochelle battled their way back into the contest in an incredible and gripping turnaround.

Jonathan Danty and UJ Seuteni responded before the interval with tries for the defending champions, but it was a 72nd minute try from Georges-Henri Colombe converted by Antoine Hastoy, who notched 12 points, that was the eventual difference between the sides.

The Champions Cup draw provided high drama on Wednesday as defending champions Stade Rochelais were drawn against the team they beat in both the 2022 and 2023 finals, Leinster Rugby, in Pool 4 of the 2023-24 competition.