Leinster erased their recent struggles against La Rochelle with a 40-13 win in Dublin on Saturday, defeating the current holders of the Investec Champions Cup.
Tries from James Rowe (twice), Jamison Gibson-Park, Ryan Baird and Dan Sheehan were added to by Ross Byrne's boot as Leinster progressed to the Croke Park semi-final.
La Rochelle's dream of winning a third straight European title came to an end as prop Lewis Penburn scored just one try against a ruthless Irish side.
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Byrne took the lead with an eight-minute penalty from 45 meters out, and Leinster dominated in the early going, which showed when they scored their first try just nine minutes later.
La Rochelle's defense was stretched out on all sides, with Lowe's touchdown and Byrne converting, Byrne and Antoine Hastoy taking penalty kicks, and Hastoy's second 3-pointer making it 13-6. Ta.
Another attack from Byrne restored a 10-point lead before Leinster attacked again following some smart interplay between Lowe and Gibson Park, which ended with the scrum-half sprinting unopposed.
Byrne's conversion put Leinster in control of the game, but they were unable to complete the opening 40 minutes and their opponents dragged them back into contention.
Leinster conceded 22 points in their own half and La Rochelle's strong driving line-out game was graphically depicted as Penburn touched down and Hastoy converted to make it 23-13 at the break. Ta.
However, La Rochelle suffered a double blow early in the second period, conceding yet another try and with scrum-half Tawera Carr-Barlow being taken away.
Baird benefited from Hastoy's attempted tackle – the build-up play included a nice pass from prop Tadhg Furlong – and Kerr Barlow was treated before leaving the field. Byrne decided after a long delay.
La Rochelle knew they couldn't go back unless they scored again, but they conceded two tries in four minutes.
Sheehan scored the first goal following a strong run from flanker Josh van der Vlier, and Lowe added a second with an impressive finish following a kick into space.
It was some ruthless rugby from the home team, but La Rochelle could not find an answer as they were outclassed in all departments.
team
Leinster: 15 Ciaran Frawley, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 James Rowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Sheeran Doris (c), 7 Will Connors, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadag Furron, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacement: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Michael Araratoa, 19 Ross Moloney, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Josh van der Flier
La Rochelle: 15 Dillin Reyes, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 UJ Souteni, 12 Jonathan Danti, 11 Teddy Thomas, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Carr-Barlow, 8 Gregory Aldritt (c), 7 Levani Botia, 6 Judikael Kankorie, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Wini Atonio, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Lewis Pemburn.
Replacement: 16 Quentin Lespioch, 17 Alexandre Kaduri, 18 Joel Sclavie, 19 Thomas Laveau, 20 Paul Boudehen, 21 Yoan Tanga, 22 Teddy Iribarren, 23 Ihaia West
Referee: Carl Dixon (England)
Assistant referee: Luke Pearce (England), Andrew Jackson (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
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