The former New Zealand international enjoyed European success as a forwards coach with the Irish province between 2008-2014 as Leinster lifted three European Cups during his reign.

Gibbes is hoping to channel those moments in history to fire up his La Rochelle troops as they go in search of a maiden European title.

“It brings back emotions. I guess that’s the power of a positive experience,” commented Gibbes on his experiences with Leinster.

“Straight away it fires a positive emotion and you remember all the things that you went through and the experiences that you had there.

“We won trophies, and that was a really important part of it and that’s what high level sport is. But for me a lot of the experiences I had there go beyond just that.

“I received an unbelievable education from Leinster. It was formative and an important part of my career, my life and I’m really grateful for that.

“But that doesn’t diminish my desire to beat these guys on Sunday.”

This weekend will be the first time the two sides have met in European competition in what will be a battle of contrasting continental pedigrees.

Leinster go in search of a record fifth European crown, while La Rochelle will play in their first Heineken Champions Cup semi-final when they take to the turf of the Stade Marcel Deflandre at 15:00 British and Irish time on Sunday.

“We’re preparing for a big battle of pressure and them trying to build pressure, them being comfortable under pressure. That’s what we’re expecting,” said Gibbes when discussing the upcoming contest.

“They [Leinster] give you no freebies, even when you feel maybe you’ve got them under pressure and out of structure, they can easily transition back into structure.

The visiting Irish Province will be without sensational fly-half Johnny Sexton for the contest after he was removed from their quarter-final victory over Exeter Chiefs after undergoing a head injury assessment (HIA).

“Obviously it's an enormous amount of experience missing out of the 23. [He’s] a pretty important symbol,” said Gibbes when profiling this weekend’s opponents.

“But really over the last few years Leinster have shown it doesn’t matter who plays, the expectation to fill in and do their role; the machine keeps rolling.

“It’s a big blow for Johnny individually and a massive amount of experience lost. But for us, and certainly the message from Ronan for the players, is to understand it's not about one player for Leinster.

“It’s the total collective that makes the difference.”

La Rochelle director of rugby Jono Gibbes is looking forward to locking horns with his former club when his side face Leinster Rugby in the semi-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday.