This afternoon’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final draw saw La Rochelle – who feature in the semi-finals for the first time – facing off against Leinster, who O’Gara has fond memories of taking on in the last four of Europe’s elite club competition.

European Rugby’s top points scorer was at his brilliant best in the 2006 semi-final between his Munster side and Leinster, scoring 20 points including a 77th minute try as Munster marched to a 30-6 victory at Lansdowne Road.

That win sent the Irish province into a final with Biarritz Olympique, a match they would edge 23-19 with O’Gara kicking 13 points on that occasion.

La Rochelle secured a spot in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals after a 45-21 win over Sale Sharks on Saturday afternoon, whilst Leinster saw off Exeter Chiefs 34-22 in a gripping clash at Sandy Park.

The semi-final fixtures, which will be played on the weekend of 30 April – 1/2 May, are confirmed as follows:

La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre

Toulouse v Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Ernest Wallon

La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara has taken on the might of Leinster Rugby on many occasions when playing for Munster Rugby, but he will do so in a coaching capacity after his side were pitted against the four-time European champions.