Ulster vs La Rochelle Challenge Cup preview: How to watch, confirmed lineups and recent form

Jonny BlackJonny Black
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Home teamUlster 
Away teamLa Rochelle
VenueAffidea Stadium
CompetitionEuropean Challenge Cup
Kick off time8 pm (UK)
Watch Live in the UKPremier Sports

Ulster vs La Rochelle meet at the Affidea stadium as the teams open the Challenge Cup quarter finals.

Ulster are having a positive season in the URC and currently sit third in the table. La Rochelle come into this match in very different circumstances. They are outside the top eight in the Top 14 and came into the Challenge Cup, finishing fifth in their Champions Cup group.  

Read more match previews for all your rugby action here

Ulster vs La Rochelle confirmed lineups and team news

Ulster (1-15):

Bell, Stewart, O’Toole, Henderson, Izuchukwu, McCann, Timoney, Augustus, Doak, Murphy, Z Ward, McCloskey, Hume, Kok, Stockdale

Replacements (16-23):

McCormick, Crean, Wilson, Sheridan, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, Posthelwaite

La Rochelle (1-15):

Penverne, Garault, Sorin, Lavault, Kintelia, Richer, Fraindt, Andjisseramatchi, Berjon, Jurd, Bosmorin, Seguret, Seuteni, Pacome, West

Replacements (16-23):

Latu, Luaki, Sclavi, Kaddouri, Sutidze, Cancoriet, Elissalde,Couillaud

Recent Form:

Ulster (Home team): W-W-L-W-L

Ulster’s home form has been excellent this season, only losing one home game, although that was their most recent defeat to Connacht. In the last round they picked up a narrow win over the Ospreys. The game was shrouded in controversy as Ospreys thought they had a winner in the final minutes, but there was a tight forward pass call that went Ulster’s way. 

La Rochelle (Away team): W-L-W-W-L

La Rochelle have won three of their last four but had been in a terrible run of form before this where they had lost five in a row. In the last round they beat Newcastle Red Bulls 26-18 away from home. They had been 18-15 behind with less than 25 minutes to go but scored two penalties and a late try to win by eight,

Ulster vs La Rochelle head-to-head record (last four matches):

DateCompetitionWinnerScore
14th January 2023Champions CupLa Rochelle7-3
17th December 2022Champions CupLa Rochelle29-36
13th January 2018Champions CupUlster 20-13
22nd October 2017Champions CupLa Rochelle41-17

Ulster and La Rochelle have met four times in their recent history, being in the same group for the 2022/23 and 2017/18 Champions Cup group. La Rochelle have won three of these meetings. Both of the games in Belfast have been won by seven points, one for either side. 

How to watch Ulster vs La Rochelle?

Ospreys vs Ulster will be available to watch on Premier Sports 2. Coverage starts at 7:30 pm for an 8 pm kick-off.

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Jonny is a former rugby player in Ireland's club system and is an Ulster and Ireland fan. He has spent a number of years writing about football and this was what brought him to the Dave Sport Group. As an expert in Irish Rugby, his expertise also stretches to Super Rugby having lived in New Zealand previously.

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