Ronan O’Gara’s champions will provide a huge challenge for an Ulster side hoping to get their campaign back on track
“Following close consultation between Ulster Rugby and EPCR in recent days, and despite the efforts of the Kingspan Stadium ground staff, the decision was taken to move the fixture as the Kingspan playing surface was deemed unsafe due to the freezing conditions in Belfast.”
“They [La Rochelle] offer bigger physical attributes,” said the Ulster coach. “We need to work harder than them and try and not let the juggernaut get up and running.” McFarland’s warning was also borne out last weekend when La Rochelle won 14 turnovers against Northampton, more than any other team in round one. They converted that dominance too, scoring two tries from turnovers, again more than any other team in the first round.
Ulster have pointedly said they have avoided self-pity after last weekend and that’s a good thing. But confidence is something altogether different and also tends to be a more fragile piece of kit. McFarland knows it too. Rory Sutherland makes his first start for Ulster as loose head prop, with Dubliner Marty Moore in at tight head with hooker Tom Stewart, who makes his first European start.
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