AFTER playing in an empty stadium on their last visit to the venue, Hugo Keenan is excited by the prospect of facing La Rochelle in a cauldron-like Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Before losing out to Ronan O’Gara’s side in the 2022 and 2023 European Champions Cup deciders in Marseille and Dublin respectively, Leinster fell short away to La Rochelle at the semi-final stage in 2021.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that game took place behind closed doors.

But with 16,000 spectators set to pack into Marcel Deflandre this Sunday, Keenan is glad to be kick-starting his latest European adventure with such an enticing fixture.

He said: “I remember rocking up to the stadium and no supporters were allowed in, but they had thousands of people outside waiting for them and they hung around waiting for our bus as well.

“They obviously have hugely passionate supporters and they are rugby-mad there.

“I’ve spoken before about how the first ten or 12 games I played for Ireland were in empty stadiums, then there was a gradual increase.

“My breakout in European rugby was in Covid as well and you get pretty sick of playing in front of nobody and you enjoyed it a bit more when the crowds did come back.

“A chance to play in a stadium like that with that great fanbase, it should be great at the weekend.”

Considering they have lifted five major trophies since Leo Cullen took over as head coach in 2015, there are not many clubs that can claim to be Leinster’s bogey side.

“I’ve spoken before about how the first ten or 12 games I played for Ireland were in empty stadiums, then there was a gradual increase.

“My breakout in European rugby was in Covid as well and you get pretty sick of playing in front of nobody and you enjoyed it a bit more when the crowds did come back.

“A chance to play in a stadium like that with that great fanbase, it should be great at the weekend.”

Considering they have lifted five major trophies since Leo Cullen took over as head coach in 2015, there are not many clubs that can claim to be Leinster’s bogey side.

“It’s not like you have holidays planned because you are hoping and planning to be in France for a little bit longer.

“It was a tough three weeks. You probably want a week or two off but then you get bored and you’re keen to get back in. It’s the best way to get on with things, move on by playing.”