Champions Cup: Brian O'Driscoll says 'ruthless' La Rochelle will be tough to beat after Leicester Tigers win

Brian O’Driscoll believes La Rochelle are the team to beat in the Investec Champions Cup after their thumping 45-12 victory over Leicester Tigers.

The back-to-back defending champions lost their opening two Pool 4 games but got off the mark in style with a statement performance at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

In all aspects, Ronan O’Gara’s side were dominant as they ran in seven tries but it’s their power up front that sets them apart, according to O’Driscoll.

“The game is won and lost in the physical confrontation and irrespective of whether they had the ball or whether they were defending, they just bashed Leicester,” the TNT Sports pundit said. “And they were ruthless in everything they did.”

In particular, flanker Levani Botia was singled out for praise for his devastating contribution.

“The whole of Europe will have sat up and watched and should be somewhat quaking in their boots. La Rochelle just physically absolutely dominated and [it was] led by that man Botia," O'Driscoll added.

“He played for an hour and looked fresh as a daisy going off, he’s just an incredibly important player to that La Rochelle team.”

The bonus-point win set up a winner-takes-all affair against Sale Sharks with a place in the last 16 on offer and O’Driscoll said the Gallagher Premiership side will have to be at their very best to stand a chance.

“I think you look at the attack of La Rochelle today comparatively to how much Sale have struggled in that regard, and yeah, they will have to be on the top of their game,” he continued.

“I think if La Rochelle play anything like that for the remainder of the tournament, it will take a very, very impressive team to turn them over. No one can match that physicality, that's the problem.

“And that's what's been the shortcoming of Leinster the last two finals is ultimately just coming off second best in the physical confrontation.”

Lawrence Dallaglio agreed with O’Driscoll’s assertion on La Rochelle, who have now won three games on the bounce after a poor first half of the season.

“They are so physical. They're so big, so powerful,” Dallaglio added.

“[There’s] so much power in that team. It’s going to take a hell of a side, even away from home, to stop them.”

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