Fixture News

Ulster team named for Challenge Cup Quarter-Final clash against La Rochelle

9th April 2026
Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his match day squad to face French giants, La Rochelle, tomorrow evening in the Quarter-Final stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Affidea Stadium. (KO: 8pm)

Tickets are still available for tomorrow’s Quarter-Final and can be purchased via ulster.rugby/tickets/match-tickets

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.

Cormac Izuchukwu is in line for his 50th Ulster appearance this weekend.

There is one change in the half-back partnership, as Jack Murphy returns at fly-half 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.

Among the replacements there is a welcome return to the match day squad for centre, Jude Postlethwaite, who is back after sustaining a hand injury against Edinburgh in the URC last month, while forward, Harry Sheridan, is also back following his suspension.

James McCormick, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Bryn Ward are the forward replacements.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Postlethwaite are the backline cover.

Zac Ward starts on the left wing

Ulster Rugby v La Rochelle, Friday 10th April 2026, 8pm, EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter-Final, Affidea Stadium (Live on Premier Sports and BBC Radio Ulster)

(Player Appearances in brackets)

1. Angus Bell (12)

2. Tom Stewart (70)

3. Tom O’Toole (137)

4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (174)

5. Cormac Izuchukwu (49)

6. David McCann (86)

7. Nick Timoney (179)

8. Juarno Augustus (12)

9. Nathan Doak (104)

10. Jack Murphy (29)

11. Zac Ward (24)

12. Stuart McCloskey (214)

13. James Hume (115)

14. Werner Kok (30)

15. Jacob Stockdale (146)

 

Replacements:

16. James McCormick (14)

17. Sam Crean (15)

18. Scott Wilson (52)

19. Harry Sheridan (56)

20. Bryn Ward (14)

21. Conor McKee (17)

22. Jake Flannery (34)

23. Jude Postlethwaite (42)

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