BROCK James believes his old team La Rochelle are ready to make the ascent to greatness by claiming Champions Cup glory for the first time when they face Toulouse in the final on Saturday.
In two playing spells at La Rochelle, former flyhalf Brock helped the previously unheralded French side establish themselves as real competitors in the Top 14.
James, who is now coaching at Ospreys, left his role as player-coach at La Rochelle when Covid-19 shut down the sport last year. He told TRP: “La Rochelle have had to come up against some good teams in the competition this year so they've earned their place in the final.
“Toulouse and La Rochelle have a similar style of rugby with the big guys trying to dominate the contact area so they can keep the ball alive with no offside line. They both want to play rugby without much structure. I think La Rochelle can do it.”
Toulouse's European prestige – they are bidding for a fifth crown – makes them favourites. But James says if La Rochelle are brave in unleashing their attacking threats like Ihaia West, Raymond Rhule and Brice Dulin, they could be on to a winner.
“Since I started watching La Rochelle I've seen it's in their DNA to try and play,” he said. “When they first came up into the Top 14 their attitude was they had nothing to lose.
“They got picked as the team who was going to get relegated so threw caution to the wind. That has been their attitude ever since.
“This is the first time they've been this deep in the competition, but the message they've sent out is they've still got nothing lose. Toulouse have got plenty of experience at this stage and I think it will take La Rochelle being bold for them to be beaten.
“Budgets in rugby are an important factor but so is putting two or three blokes on the field who are 150 kilos and can rumble down the field! Guys like Will Skelton are pretty devastating and they produced a good performance to beat Leinster in the semi-final.”
By ALEX BYWATER
