Tommy Mc Loughlin – New Ross RFC
Friday night under the lights at the Affidea Stadium rarely disappoints, but this was something special. In front of a raucous Belfast crowd, Ulster delivered a tactical masterclass to defeat the back-to-back Champions Cup winners of ’22 and ’23, Stade Rochelais, with a 41–24 victory. It was a performance built on grit and clinical finishing that refused to buckle despite a relentless downpour for most of the night.
Drowning Out the Giants
While many expected the massive French pack to bully the home side, it was Ulster who mastered the wet conditions. Richie Murphy’s men were clinical from the off, exploiting the mistakes of a youthful La Rochelle side that included 19-year-old “wonderkid” Diego Jurd at out-half.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 28th minute when Zac Ward was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tip-tackle. However, rather than folding, Ulster showed incredible resilience. They not only weathered the ten-minute disadvantage but managed to extend their lead through a powerful Cormac Izuchukwu try just before halftime. Despite the presence of Ronan O’Gara on the sidelines, a figure many “neutral” Munster fans were quietly backing, the Belfast crowd stayed vocal, ensuring the visitors never found their rhythm.
Standout Performers: A Family Affair
On his 50th appearance, Cormac Izuchukwu was simply immense, leading from the front in the engine room and marking the occasion with a vital score. However, one of the most heartwarming moments for the home support came in the second half when the Ward brothers took center stage. In a superb display of sibling chemistry, Zac Ward provided a lovely assist for his younger brother, Bryn Ward, who showed incredible power to finish a vital try that effectively killed off the French comeback.
The night, however, belonged to Nathan Doak, who was deservedly named Player of the Match. His tactical kicking in the rain was world-class, pinning the French backline deep and keeping the scoreboard ticking over with unerring accuracy off the tee.
The Verdict
This was a tale of two very different seasons. Ulster proved they have the tactical maturity to match their undeniable physical grit, whereas for La Rochelle, this felt like a side “taking their medicine” in a competition they never wanted to be in. With ROG’s men currently languishing in 9th place in the Top 14, it’s clear their real focus has shifted to domestic survival rather than European silverware. While their young prospects showed flashes of talent, they lacked the composure to handle a clinical Ulster side in a hostile Belfast cauldron. Richie Murphy has found a winning formula that balances the exuberance of his own young stars with the steel of seasoned internationals. Their next opponent will be the winner of tomorrow’s clash between Benetton Rugby and Exeter Chiefs. Based on this evidence, the “magic” is officially back in Belfast, and a spot in the final now feels like a very real possibility.
Match Squads
Ulster Rugby:
15. Jacob Stockdale, 14. Werner Kok, 13. James Hume, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Zac Ward, 10. Jack Murphy, 9. Nathan Doak, 1. Angus Bell, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. Iain Henderson (C), 5. Cormac Izuchukwu, 6. Dave McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Juarno Augustus.
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 (C), 1. Louis Penverne, 2. Gabin Garault, 3. Karl Sorin, 4. Thomas Lavault, 5. Aleksandre Kuntelia, 6. Edouard Richer, 7. Judicael Cancoriet, 8. Lucas Andjisseramatchi.
Replacements: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Christian Luaki, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Alexandre Kaddouri, 20. Nikolozi Sutidze, 21. Oscar Jegou, 22. Sacha Elissalde, 23. Nolhann Couillaud.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Attendance: 7,169
Half-Time Score: Ulster 24 – 10 Stade Rochelais
Full-Time Score: Ulster 41 – 24 Stade Rochelais
Match Discipline & Scorers:
Yellow Cards:
Ulster: Z.Ward (28′).
Stade Rochelais: None.
Scorers:
· Ulster: Tries: Z.Ward (4′, 46), O’Toole (24′), Izuchukwu (36′), B.Ward (53′), McCormick (76′).
Cons: Doak (5′, 25′, 37′, 77′).
Pens: Doak (9′).
· Stade Rochelais: Tries: Cancoriet (41′), Latu (51′), Sclavi (82′).
Cons: Jurd (42′, 52′, 83′).
Pens: Jurd (22′).
Next Up: Winner of Benetton vs. Exeter Chiefs (Semi-Final TBC).