As they head into one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European rugby, Leinster's preparation could hardly have been better.
Stade Marcel Deflandre may only hold 16,700 supporters, but the La Rochelle supporters know how to make themselves seen and heard.
It’s a rare occasion when Ronan O’Gara’s side play to anything less than a full house, and they use that advantage well, with 19 wins from their last 21 games on home soil, one of those defeats being against Leinster in the opening round of last year’s Investec Champions Cup.
Leo Cullen’s side are back on the west coast of France tomorrow for a rematch against their great modern rivals, having had a weekend off to prepare for the two-time Champions Cup winners, while their opponents were scrapping their way to a three-point win against Toulouse.
Not only that, but Leinster’s 28-7 win against Munster a fortnight ago was played out in front of a sold-out crowd of 26,267 and a hostile atmosphere Thomond Park.
And centre Garry Ringrose believes that their Christmas Interpro in Limerick was an ideal dry run for what to expect on Sunday.
"It's a challenge anywhere we go. Certainly in Thomond when we were there two weeks ago, it was sold out with a nice, good atmosphere," he told RTE Sport.
"Against La Rochelle over there, they've incredibly passionate supporters that really row in behind their team and put you under pressure with the noise.
"So that'll be part of the challenge, to try and manage that.
"Certainly going down to is Thomond, to go down there and to get a win is always great. We know it's unbelievably tough to pick up anything there and to get the four tries, we were over the moon with it afterwards.
"Last week we had a rare in-season rugby week to try and prepare as best we can for what's going to be a massive test on Sunday and the following Saturday as well."
The province have changed their approach in their continued search for a fifth Champions Cup title. Back in 2022, they scored 364 points in just eight games, 15 points short of the single season record, but fell short in the decider against this weekend’s opponents.
In the last year, that approach has shifted to becoming masters of defence.
The arrival o Jacques Nienaber has brought with it his aggressive and suffocating blitz defence that was a major part of South Africa’s World Cup win in 2023.
In 11 games in all competitions this season, they have conceded just 130 points in total for an average of 11.8 per game, while only two teams have scored more than 15 points against them in a single game.
Their philosophy seems to be 'Bend but don’t break". The aggressive nature of the defensive line, and their high penalty count, has offered teams opportunities to score points, but as Munster found out at Thomond Park two weeks ago, converting those opportunities is easier said than done.
"There was loads of stuff that we have been trying to work on to be better at and even from Munster’s perspective, I think the scoreline flatters us when it finishes the way it did.
"I think the pressure they had us under in the first half and obviously the second half as well, the scoreline could have looked a little bit different.
"We tried to review the game as black and white as possible, to see what opportunities they missed and what we can do to be better because it's all hands on deck for the challenge this weekend.
"I think an extra year with Jacques [Nienaber] and trying to understand the defensive system a bit more, to try and avoid some mistakes we've made is always a constant work-on and learning that we get in training and games.
"And then Tyler [attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal], helping us with the attack, seeing how we can get better and reading each other better and trying to score more tries. With the competitiveness in training, we’re challenged both sides of the ball and then in matches really put it to the test."
Sixth in the Top14, it's been an inconsistent season so far from La Rochelle, who battled to a 22-19 win against an understrength Toulouse last Saturday.
However, with this being a sixth meeting of the teams in the space of four years, Ringrose says they are expecting the best version of O'Gara's side on Sunday.
"It's a tough old schedule for the French in the Top 14. It's full-on and every game is incredibly tough, so they'll be battle hardened.
"Even some past results, you wouldn't look too far into it because when it comes to Europe they're exceptional. That's what we're prepping for.
"They're just such an exceptional side, they have two stars on their jerseys for a reason; that they win big games. If you're not all-in with your preparation in the lead up to them, and all-in when it comes to the 80 minutes, then you're not giving yourself a chance.
"I think of the finals we would have met them in, we prepared as best we can and then they find a way to win, and that's why they've two stars on their jersey. It’s a huge challenge and exciting one for all of us."
