In this weekend’s Round 3 return fixture, Ulster will be looking to put in a performance akin to the one they produced in the second half of the last time the two sides met, when they scored four tries against Ronan O’Gara’s side, before ultimately conceding the game 29 points to 36.
But, not daunted by the threat the opposition pose and in spite of a challenging couple of weeks for the province, Head Coach Dan McFarland is confident in the side that will line out in France:
“We were a whisker away from winning our last three games. If we work hard, we will turn a corner and start playing better, and ultimately, we will win games.
“Stade Rochelais are a big team, both in terms of size and how many talented players they have. The players selected for Saturday will relish it, and it’s a great opportunity for us to go up against the best.”
Ulster’s next home fixture is the crucial final Heineken Champions Cup pool stage game against Sale Sharks on Saturday 21 January (KO 8pm). Tickets are available now at ulster.rugby/buytickets.
Ian Madigan makes his return in starting line-up
Following several months out with injury, Ian Madigan is back and will line-out at fly half alongside 21-year-old scrum half Nathan Doak, who made his Heineken Champions Cup debut this time last year in an away win over another French heavyweight, ASM Clermont Auvergne.
In an Ulster born and bred back three, with an average age of 25, winger Jacob Stockdale retains his starting position from last week, together with full back, Mike Lowry, who secured his first try of the season last Saturday against Benetton. Rob Lyttle comes in on the right wing, as one of eight changes to the side that started most recently in Round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Luke Marshall comes into the team at inside centre and is paired in midfield with fellow Ulster Rugby Academy graduate Stewart Moore, who crossed the whitewash in Treviso.
Club captain, Iain Henderson, will lead the side from the back row as he is named at blindside flanker. He is joined by Ireland teammate, Nick Timoney, and Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, who lines out at number eight.
Ulster stalwart, Alan O’Connor, is back in the starting line-up this week at lock, and pairs up with Kieran Treadwell, who has amassed over 1,800 minutes of European rugby since his debut back in the 2015/16 season.
Scottish international, Rory Sutherland comes in as loosehead prop, with Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Rob Herring, who was responsible for one of Ulster’s four tries last time out, both retaining their starting positions at tighthead prop and hooker respectively.
Current Ulster Academy forward Harry Sheridan is primed to make his first senior appearance off the bench, with John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Andy Warwick, and David McCann, who made his European debut the last time the two sides met, completing the backup options for the pack.
Michael McDonald, also set to make his debut on the European stage, together with Billy Burns and Ethan McIlroy are included on the bench for the backs.
Ulster team to play Stade Rochelais, Heineken Champions Cup Round 3, Saturday 14 January at Stade Marcel Deflandre (KO 5 30pm UK/Ire time; 6 30pm local time), live on BT Sport:
(15-9): Michael Lowry, Rob Lyttle, Stewart Moore, Luke Marshall, Jacob Stockdale, Ian Madigan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8): Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Andy Warwick, Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Michael McDonald, Billy Burns, Ethan McIlroy.
The following players were not considered for selection due to injury or the IRFU Player Management Programme: Marty Moore; Tom O’Toole; Matty Rea; Sean Reffell; David Shanahan; Jake Flannery; Aaron Sexton; Jude Postlethwaite; Stuart McCloskey; Angus Curtis; James Hume; Rob Baloucoune; and Will Addison.