THE CHAMPIONS CUP BOOTOOM
ULSTER v LA ROCHELLE Kingspan Stadium, 1pm
TEAM NEWS: Craig Gilroy and Louis Ludik return to the back-line with John Cooney starting at scrum-half where he will be partnered by Christian Lealiifano, who plays his last home match for Ulster. Alan O’Connor is reinstalled in the second row. La Rochelle captain Jason Eaton returns to the second row alongside Mathieu Tanguy while Jeremy Pinzelle starts at out-half. PREVIOUS MEETING: Oct 2017 – La Rochelle 41 Ulster 17
VERDICT: La Rochelle. WHY: Ulster were hammered 41-17 when the sides met in October and, after last week’s timid defensive display against Leinster, the French could inflict more pain this afternoon. ULSTER: C Piutau, C Gilroy, L Ludik, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, C Lealiifano, J Cooney; Callum Black, R Best (capt), R Ah You, A O’Connor, I Henderson, M Rea, S Reidy, N Timone. Reps: R Herring, K McCall, R Kane, K Treadwell, C Henry, D Shanahan, J McPhillips, D Cave LA ROCHELLE: K Murimurivalu, G Lacroix, G Doumayrou, P Aguillon, V Rattez, J Sinzelle, A Bales, D Priso, P Bourgarit, U Atonio, J Eaton, M Tanguy, B Veivuke, K Gourdon, V Vito. Reps: J-C Orioli, V Pelo, M Boughanmi, G Lamboley, A Amosa, T Kerr Barlow, B Nobles, P Jordaan. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England). TV: LIVE tomorrow on Sky Sports Action from 12.30pm (KO 1pm) KEY STAT La Rochelle have a 92 per cent goal-kicking success rate — the best return in this season’s competition. Ulster’s is 76%.