Match Details
🤝 Ulster Rugby v La Rochelle<br>
🗓 Saturday 17 December, 5.30pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 Heineken Champions Cup Round 2<br>
📺 Live on BT Sport
Tickets
A limited number of tickets are still available, while some sections of the stadium are already sold out.
Note that all tickets must be pre-purchased online as none will be available at the turnstiles.
Campaign so far
La Rochelle began the defence of their European crown in impressive fashion, recording a 46-12 bonus point win over Northampton Saints at home last weekend. Brice Dulin, Pierre Bourgarit, Pierre Boudehent and Dillyn Leyds all crossed the Northampton whitewash in the opening period as La Rochelle opened up a 32-0 lead at the interval. Further tries from Grégory Alldritt and Ulupano Seuteni followed in the second half, with Northampton only able to add two late consolation tries.
For Ulster it was a much different start to the competition than would normally be expected - with preparations adversely impacted by significant travel disruption, an uncharacteristic below-par performance followed at the AJ Bell Stadium and they fell to a 39-0 defeat at the hands of Sale Sharks last Sunday. However, with a proud European home record that has seen the Ulster men defeat the likes of ASM Clermont Auvergne, Racing 92 and indeed La Rochelle at Kingspan Stadium in recent years, they will be keen to get their European campaign back on track this week.
It's our annual Christmas fixture!
Saturday's game will be Ulster Rugby's annual Christmas fixture. Gates will open at 3.30pm ahead of a 5.30pm kick-off, and there will be plenty of festive fun pre-match to get everyone in the Christmas mood ahead of a massive European clash.
Here’s what you can look forward to...
Fan Zone
- The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 3.30pm with a special appearance from Santa himself.
- Pick up your free Ulster flag at the turnstiles and make some noise for the Ulster men!
- Also, be on the lookout at the turnstiles for our Santa hat giveaway.
- Want some live music? The Cool FM crew will be blasting out Christmas hits in the Fan Zone, while Ryan Hanna will be singing live in the Clubhouse Bar.
- Bangor RFC's topless carol singers are back and they will be braving the cold, performing to raise funds for Ulster Rugby's charity partner Horatio's Garden and also PIPS Suicide Prevention.
- Check out the new Kingspan 'Try-Cycle' challenge - see how many metres you can make in one minute and try to earn your place on the leaderboard!
- Keep an eye out for the Britvic giveaway in the fan zone before the game, as their promo team will be handing out samples of their Energise Glucose energy drink & Club Loaded.
- You can also grab a free Heineken 0.0 sample from the Heineken team at the pop-up stall opposite the Heineken Quarter bar before kick-off.
Mission Christmas
Ulster Rugby will also be supporting Cool FM's Mission Christmas appeal, which aims to help Santa reach children living in poverty.
If you're able to, we will be collecting new and unwrapped gifts at the Kingspan Stadium admin building reception. Gifts can be dropped off prior to the match on Saturday or during normal office hours.
For more information, including gift ideas, please visit: <https://planetradio.co.uk/cool-fm/charity/events/mission-christmas-2022-northern-ireland/>.
Stadium Bars
- All public bars will be in operation from gates open with live music in the Clubhouse Bar.
- Winter warmer drinks - mulled wine, hot whiskey & hot port - will be served in the Clubhouse Bar, Spirit of '99 Lounge and A&L Goodbody Lounge.
- The 1924 Bar in the Grandstand will be open for pass holders only. Light food provided by The Yellow Door will be available.
- The newly refurbished Spirit of '99 Lounge will be open with music from local artist Alex Hall. Admission is for pass holders only and it is sold out for this fixture.
- Gourmet burgers will be served by Yellow Door in the A&L Goodbody Lounge in the Premium Stand.
- Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.
On the Pitch
- At half-time, an Ulster player will be doing a live interview on the pitch before helping Sparky and Abbey to throw signed rugby balls into the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand, so get ready to catch and see which player has signed yours!
- Also at half-time, there will be mini rugby exhibition games from the young players of Larne RFC, Instonians RFC, Newry RFC and Donaghadee RFC.
Post-Match
- Members of the playing squad will meet supporters, sign autographs and pose for photos outside the player’s entrance at the back of the Grandstand, from approximately 15 minutes after full-time.
Last Time Out
Ulster last hosted La Rochelle at Kingspan Stadium in January 2018, in what was a top-of-the-pool clash in Round 5 of the Champions Cup. At that point, La Rochelle were unbeaten, while Ulster's sole defeat in the opening four rounds was at the hands of the French men in the away fixture.
A strong Ulster defence limited the visitors to a single try, while scores from Rory Best, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney secured another memorable Ulster win.
Watch the highlights...