Ulster progressed to the quarter-final of the EPCR Challenge Cup after their narrow 28-24 victory over the Ospreys in Belfast.
It was not a vintage performance from Richie Murphy’s men but it was enough to set up a clash with Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle.
The Irish province were favourites coming into the match with the Welsh region; however, the Ospreys ensured they made a real fight of it as they kept battling right until the end and could have won it in the dying moments.
Ospreys believed they had won it with a late try but it was ruled out for a forward pass meaning that Ulster would progress in the competition.
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Now, they will host La Rochelle in Belfast for the first time in the Challenge Cup after the French side progressed past Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday night.
Stuart McCloskey discovered Ulster’s fate while being interviewed on Premier Sports following their win and he give a telling answer to how he and his teammates felt about their next opponent.
He said: “I think that's the fixture we probably all wanted. Hopefully it will be packed out here at Affidea Stadium and it will be a good game.
“We will have to get better, probably at most things. Our defence was pretty passive towards the end and even our attack, our shape went away from us a bit and we stopped attacking in the last 20 minutes.
“Back to the drawing board with that a bit.”
La Rochelle and Ulster have played each other previously in the Champions Cup on four occasions with the French side emerging victorious in three of these fixtures.
Ulster’s only win came in Belfast so fans of the Irish province will to give them hope they can emerge victorious and reach the semi-final of the competition this season.
Confidence will also be taken by Ulster and their supporters by the fact that La Rochelle have struggled this season as they were demoted from the Champions Cup at the pool stage, while they currently sit ninth in the Top14 and seven points off the play-offs to challenge for the title.
O’Gara may see this competition as a way to win silverware and ensure they qualify for the Champions Cup next season, so it may set up a massive clash next weekend; however, with the injuries La Rochelle have sustained this season he may approach his squad selection with caution.
All that is for certain is that Ulster and Stuart McCloskey will be desperate to secure their progress to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union
Brendan McGilligan