Ulster v La Rochelle team news: Ireland rookie set to hit 50 for home side while Ronan O’Gara makes three changes for Challenge Cup quarter-final
Ulster second-row Cormac Izuchukwu and La Rochelle boss Ronan O'Gara (inset).
Ireland lock Cormac Izuchukwu will make his 50th appearance for Ulster in Friday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle at the Affidea Stadium.
There is one change to the forward pack that started last weekend’s round-of-16 victory against Ospreys, with Ireland international Tom Stewart starting at hooker.
Wallabies loosehead prop Angus Bell retains his spot in the front-row and Irish international Tom O’Toole starts at tighthead.
Iain Henderson and Izuchukwu packs down in the engine room
Ulster captain Iain Henderson starts alongside towering 26-year-old utility forward Izuchukwu in the second-row.
The back-row is unchanged with last weekend’s two try-scorers, David McCann and Nick Timoney, at blindside flanker and openside flanker respectively, while Juarno Augustus starts at number eight.
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 retain their centre partnership.
In the back three, Zac Ward slots in on the left wing, with Werner Kok on the right wing. Experienced 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 matchday squad for centre Jude Postlethwaite, who is back after sustaining a hand injury against Edinburgh in a United Rugby Championship last month, while among the forwards, Harry Sheridan also returns following his suspension.
James McCormick, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Sheridan and Bryn Ward are the forward replacements while Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Postlethwaite are the backline cover.
La Rochelle team news
Meanwhile, La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara has also made three alterations to his run-on side after they clinched a 26-18 win over Newcastle Red Bulls in their Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash last weekend.
There is one change in the backline with Ugo Pacome coming in to replace Jules Favre on the right wing.
Pacome is joined in the Top 14 outfit’s back three by fellow wing Hoani Bosmorin, while Ihaia West continues at full-back with UJ Seuteni and Adrien Seguret retaining their spots as the starting centres.
The starting backline is completed by Diego Jurd and captain Thomas Berjon, who are the starting half-backs.
Meanwhile, among the forwards, Lucas Andjisseramatchi shifts from the flank to number eight and is joined the back-row by Kirill Fraindt and Edouard Richer, with the former taking Andjisseramatchi’s spot in the number seven jersey.
There is one more change to the pack as Aleksandre Kuntelia is promoted to the run-on side at lock where he packs down alongside Thomas Lavault.
The starting XV is completed by Karl Sorin and Louis Penverne, who are the props, while Gabin Garault gets the nod at hooker.
O’Gara has opted for a forward-heavy six-two split on La Rochelle’s replacements bench with Tolu Latu, Christian Luaki, Joel Sclavi, Alexandre Kaddouri, Nikoloz Sutidze and Judicael Cancoriet offering cover to the starting pack.
Sacha Elissalde and Nolhann Couillaud will be the backline replacements.
The teams
Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Dave McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Angus Bell
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
La Rochelle: 15 Ihaia West, 14 Ugo Pacome, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Adrien Seguret, 11 Hoani Bosmorin, 10 Diego Jurd, 9 Thomas Berjon (c), 8 Lucas Andjisseramatchi, 7 Kirill Fraindt, 6 Edouard Richer, 5 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Karl Sorin, 2 Gabin Garault, 1 Louis Penverne
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Christian Luaki, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Alexandre Kaddouri, 20 Nikoloz Sutidze, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Sacha Elissalde, 23 Nolhann Couillaud
Venue: Affidea Stadium
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (Sco), Sara Cox (Eng)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
How to watch: Premier Sports / France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby / epcrugby.tv