Ulster v La Rochelle: Five takeaways as ‘men against boys’ Challenge Cup fixture sees Ireland snub ‘bang on the door’ once again
Zac Ward scored two tries for Ulster.
Following a 41-24 triumph for Ulster over La Rochelle in their EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final fixture, here’s our five takeaways from the Affidea Stadium.
The top line
Ulster sealed a spot in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup after they eased past an under-strength La Rochelle on Friday, grabbing six tries to their visitors’ three.
Zac Ward (2), Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Bryn Ward and James McCormack scored for Ulster, with Nathan Doak adding nine points and Jake Flannery two.
Judicael Cancoriet, Tolu Latu and Joel Sclavi crossed for Ronan O’Gara’s outfit – Sclavi’s coming late on – as a gulf in experience and quality was ultimately telling.
Despite the one-sided nature of the game and inclement conditions, it was still an entertaining affair with Ulster showing once again they are a team for all weathers.
Men against boys
Such is the scale of absentees in La Rochelle’s ranks that the team was unrecognisable from their first-choice line-up and it told as they were outclassed throughout.
Pierre Bourgarit, Will Skelton, Grégory Alldritt, Levani Botia, Paul Boudehent, Nolann Le Garrec, Antoine Hastoy, Jonathan Danty, Suliasi Vunivalu, Dillyn Leyds, Jack Nowell and others are sidelined at the moment and it cost them dear tonight as they exited the Challenge Cup with little more than a whimper, ending a disappointing European campaign.
That might sound harsh, such was the gulf in experience and quality on show, but La Rochelle simply could not live with this powerful, slick and cohesive Ulster side.
Ulster, in contrast, are in rude health and with the age profile they possess, they held all of the cards and were a cut above in all areas with a semi-final ticket secured.
Ireland message
Yet again Zac Ward caught the eye in a white jersey as he continues to bang on the door of Andy Farrell in terms of Ireland selection, getting over for two tries tonight.
The 27-year-old was rock solid all match and thoroughly deserved his crossings, playing his part in a lethal Ulster back three that fed off the platform laid for them.
Ward’s first major involvement was a wonderful line off an Ulster set play and he was a handful thereafter. Surely opportunities in green are on the horizon in July?
Celebratory try
It was a milestone game for second-row on the night, Izuchukwu, and it was only fitting that the hard-working forward got a crossing on this, his 50th outing for Ulster.
The versatile Ireland international finished with 12 tackles, nine carries and two defenders beaten to cap a positive shift on a special game as he continues to impress.
Izuchukwu, 26, is a crucial cog in the future of this Ulster side and that should reflect similarly with at Test level too, as he’s starting to make great strides as a player.
Inevitable exit
An under-strength La Rochelle were always a long shot to come out on top against such a confident Ulster side on their home patch and so it proved in tonight’s clash.
The testing weather only heightened Ulster’s advantage as they relished the bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions and twisted the knife in a simple victory in the end.
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Indeed, La Rochelle were second best in most facets which, despite absences in personnel, must be a worry for O’Gara as the Top 14 season is approaching a key period.
Their dire recent form was only reprieved somewhat by last week’s narrow win over Newcastle Red Bulls but it was back to earth with a bump against tougher opposition.
It doesn’t get any easier next weekend either as they return to Top 14 action with a fixture against Bordeaux-Begles, which is must-win due to them sitting in ninth spot.