Ex-All Black Vito believes La Rochelle have 'blueprint' to floor Leinster in Champions Cup final

Former New Zealand and La Rochelle loose forward Victor Vito said the French club have the "blueprint" to defend the Champions Cup when they play Leinster in the final on Saturday.

Vito, 36, returned to hometown Wellington after ending his six-year stint on the Atlantic coast by lifting the title last season.

This weekend's match in Dublin will be a rerun of last May's decider.

"They've got a blueprint of success from last year which makes it easier," Vito told AFP.

"The calmness that needs to come around you emotionally, spiritually when these games come up and the maturity is all there.

"If anything, they've gone a step ahead and I'm really looking forward to the game," he added.

Vito added the Champions Cup to an impressive trophy haul which included two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks as well as the 2016 Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes.

He chose against accepting offers to continue playing after leaving La Rochelle to spend time with his family.

"I'm pretty much a glorified taxi driver for my kids now taking them back and forth to their sports at the weekend and then during the week for training and school," he said.

"I'm pretty content and proud of the record I've had.

"I can say I've done my bit and be pretty happy with the way in which I've left all my jerseys," he added.

'Big bodyguards'

Vito's former team-mates at Stade Marcel-Deflandre include France prop Uini Atonio and Australia lock Will Skelton, who both weigh more than 140kg each.

"Those guys are like our pillars, the big bodyguards, you have to get past those two to get to our team," fluent French speaker Vito said.

"Will's a massive character, people talk about his size but rugby-wise he's got a good brain, he knows the game and the opposition really