Ronan O'Gara suffers suspension blow ahead of La Rochelle v Leinster

Ronan O'Gara has been dealt a blow ahead of La Rochelle's home Champions Cup collision with Leinster after Teddy Thomas was slapped with a ban.

France star Thomas, 31, has picked up a four-game suspension arising from a yellow card he received against Clermont in the Top 14 before Christmas.

Thomas was cited for dangerous play in a challenge with Clermont's Theo Giral and a disciplinary committee handed down a four-week suspension from today, with a return date from January 27.

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La Rochelle will be out for revenge after Leinster beat them in the pool stages and comfortably knocked them out at the quarter-final stage last season. O'Gara's team beat the Irish province in the previous two finals of the competition.

Currently in sixth place in the Top 14 after seven wins and six defeats, La Rochelle have won their first two Champions Cup pool games against Bath and the Bristol Bears.

Leinster are heading into the Stade Marcel Deflandre encounter on Sunday week on the back of a winning streak that has continued from the start of the season, including Champions Cup pool victories over the Bears and Clermont.

La Rochelle and Leinster top pool two on nine points apiece, with the French side edging it on points difference by the narrowest of margins heading into their meeting.

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