La Rochelle, who beat Leinster Rugby 24-21 in Marseille last month to lift the Heineken Champions Cup for the first time, were denied their maiden title last year when Toulouse triumphed 22-17 in the showpiece game at Twickenham Stadium.

But Ronan O’Gara’s side will head into the TOP 14 eliminator with a renewed sense of confidence after their stunning victory over Leinster, though five-time European champions Toulouse will offer another stern test in the shootout for a semi-final place at Stade Ernest Wallon.

O’Gara, who notched his first European crown as a coach to add to his two triumphs as a player with Munster Rugby, has made nine changes from last week’s win at Lyon as he looks to guide La Rochelle to a domestic trophy too.

Dany Priso and Uini Atonio return either side of Pierre Bourgarit in the front row, with Will Skelton and Thomas Lavault completing an all-changed front five. Captain Grégory Alldritt is back at No.8 with Matthias Haddad switching to openside flanker.

Ihaia West, who kicked nine points in the Heineken Champions Cup final, is back at fly-half, with Jérémy Sinzelle returning at outside centre as Raymond Rhule shifts to the wing.

Dillyn Leyds comes in at full-back, while Arthur Retière, who came off the bench to score the match-winning try against Leinster, is among the replacements again.

Meanwhile, Toulouse have made five alterations to the XV who started their thrashing of Biarritz Olympique last weekend.

Hooker Peato Mauvaka and prop Dorian Aldegheri come into the front row, with lock Richie Arnold and flanker Rynhardt Elstadt also recalled, the latter switch seeing Anthony Jelonch slide across to No.8. Juan Cruz Mallía replaces Nelson Épée on the wing in the only change in the backs.

The other TOP 14 play-off takes place on Sunday and sees Union Bordeaux-Bègles, who were beaten by La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, welcome Racing 92, who O’Gara’s men conquered in the semi-finals.

Stade Rochelais’ pursuit of a European-domestic double continues tonight, when they travel to Stade Toulousain in the TOP 14 play-offs in a re-run of last season’s Heineken Champions Cup final.