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38 - 19
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51 - 25
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24 - 25
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54 - 28
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7 - 38
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33 - 40
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14 - 39
FT
27 - 47
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31 - 14
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38 - 28
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Thursday
21:00
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
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Friday
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Friday
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Friday
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Friday
21:00

Ulster v Stade Rochelais - Teams and Prediction

By @rugby365com
Thursday 9 Apr 2026

CHALLENGE CUP FRIDAY PREVIEW: The stakes are high as Ulster and La Rochelle will be gunning for a victory that would take them to the semifinals of the Challenge Cup.

Ulster sealed their spot against the French giants after a thrilling 28-24 Round of 16 victory against Ospreys, running in four tries and edging the tight contest played in stormy conditions to advance.

Ulster’s Ireland internationals were back and firing, with Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale registering second-half scores that took Ulster into the lead.

Head coach, Richie Murphy, praised Ulster’s grit and determination to take the win, after going into the break down on the scoreboard before a second-half comeback.

The opposition, La Rochelle, coached by former Ireland star Ronan O’Gara, comes to Belfast hoping for a big push to the end of their season.

The French side are one of Europe’s top club teams, having won back-to-back Champions Cup titles as recently as 2022 and 2023.

In the Top 14 league this season, the French side sit just outside the top eight in ninth position.

After dropping down to the Challenge Cup from the Pool Stages of the Champions Cup, the French side showcased their impressive squad strength last weekend by defeating Newcastle Red Bulls away from home by 26-18.

“It’s been a while since we have had a European quarterfinal here at home, and we are all really excited for Friday night,” said Jacob Stockdale, who will play at fullback for Ulster this Friday.

“La Rochelle are a big challenge and one of the best teams in Europe.”

The last time the province defeated the French giants was back in 2018, with now General Manager, Rory Best, on the scoresheet alongside Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale, as Ulster ground out a dogged home victory against the French in Belfast.

There is one change to the forward pack who started last weekend’s Round of 16 victory against Ospreys, with Ireland international Tom Stewart starting at hooker.

Wallaby loosehead prop Angus Bell, retains his spot in the front row, and Irish international Tom O’Toole starts at tighthead.

Captain Iain Henderson starts alongside Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row. The towering 26-year-old forward is set for a milestone 50th Ulster appearance tomorrow night.

The back row is unchanged with last weekend’s two try-scorers, David McCann and Nick Timoney, starting at blindside flanker and openside flanker respectively. South African forward Juarno Augustus starts at eight.

There is one change in the half-back partnership, as Jack Murphy returns at flyhalf alongside scrum-half Nathan Doak.

The midfield remains unchanged, as Stuart McCloskey and James Hume keep their centre partnership going at twelve and thirteen.

In the back three, Zac Ward slots in on the left wing, with Werner Kok on the right wing. Ireland international back Jacob Stockdale switches positions to full-back, where he has played the majority of his minutes for Ulster this season.

Prediction

Rugby365: Ulster by three points

Teams

Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Zac War, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Dave McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Sam Crean, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite

Stade Rochelais: 15 Ihaia West, 14 Ugo Pacome, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Adrien Seguret, 11 Hoani Bosmorin, 10 Diego Jurd, 9 Thomas Berjon (captain), 8 Lucas Andjisseramatchi, 7 Kirill Fraidnt, 6 Edouard Richer, 5 Aleksandre Kunteliw, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Karl Sorin, 2 Gabin Garault, 1 Louis Penverne
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Christian Luaki, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 20 Nikolozi Sutidze, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Sacha Elissalde, 23 Nolhann Couillaud

Date: Friday, April 10
Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 21.00 France time)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) & Sara Cox (England)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Source: Ulster Rugby

 

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