Ronan O’Gara and La Rochelle to start new season with Champions Cup final rematch

La Rochelle will host the double champions at Stade Marcel Deflandre when the Top 14 kicks off on the first weekend of September

Toulouse's captain Antoine Dupont lifts the trophy as Toulouse won the Heineken Champions Cup. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ronan O’Gara’s first season in full charge at La Rochelle will kick off with a bang after the opening round of next season's Top 14 paired them with their Heineken Champions Cup and Bouclier conquerors Toulouse.

O’Gara, who steps up to take over from Jono Gibbes, will get an immediate chance for some revenge having gone down recently in their maiden Champions Cup final appearance to Toulouse by 22-17 and then by 18-8 in the French final.