Ulster men ready to take on European champions

Ulster men ready to take on European champions

Dan McFarland’s side will face up to Stade Rochelais in Round 2 of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup when the French side come to Kingspan Stadium this Saturday (KO 5 30pm).

Despite a week of challenging weather, and the aftermath of a loss to Sale Sharks at AJ Bell Stadium, the focus for the squad this week has solely been on preparing to face Ronan O’Gara’s men in Belfast.

The defending first-time European champions last visited Kingspan Stadium back in 2017/18 for a pool stage game, which saw the home province come away with a 20-13 win.

But Head Coach, Dan McFarland, knows the squad will have to prepare for something different this time around, when it comes to facing a side that beat Northampton Saints in a 46-12 bonus point win last weekend:

“We’ve got to be smart, have the right mindset, and work harder than them. It’s important that you don’t let the juggernaut get up and running.


“There is no doubt that we will go at it hard. The level of competition in the Champions Cup is such that everyone raises their game.”

Henderson to lead the charge against La Rochelle


Iain Henderson is back in the driving seat as the province look to get their European campaign back on track.

The captain is joined in the back row by World Cup-winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, and Irish international, Nick Timoney, who was one of three Ulster men to contribute to the winning score line the last time this French opposition were in town.

Rory Sutherland will make his first start for Ulster as the loosehead prop makes a welcome return from an injury sustained on international duty with Scotland, with Marty Moore pairing-up with him at tighthead prop, whilst hooker, Tom Stewart, is set to make his first European start.  

Alan O’Connor retains his position from last week as lock, while Sam Carter comes in to join him in the second row.



John Cooney and Billy Burns make a familiar pairing at scrum half and fly half respectively, with Cooney back in action after injury.

Ulster Rugby Academy graduates, 22-year-old Ethan McIlroy and 24-year-old Mike Lowry will line-out alongside Rob Lyttle, who is named on the left wing, in the back three.

The centre partnership will see Irish international, Stuart McCloskey, matched-up with Luke Marshall, who has scored a hattrick of tries in this season’s United Rugby Championship.

Forward cover will be provided by Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell and David McCann. On the bench for the backs are Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore and Ben Moxham.

Ulster team to play Stade Rochelais, Heineken Champions Cup Round 2, Saturday 17 December at Kingspan Stadium (KO 5 30pm), live on BT Sport.

(15-9): Mike Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8): Rory Sutherland, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter, Iain Henderson (Captain), Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham.

In this Article

Latest News