La Rochelle’s rise an eye-opener for Ulster
THIS wasn’t how it was meant to turn out, Ulster in France today, billed as the underdogs, against unfashionable opposition, who are hosting their first Champions Cup game ever.
When Ulster blazed a trail to the 2012 European Cup decider, a first since their 1999 success, they ambitiously spoke about becoming one of the world’s best clubs within five years.
Their team was on the up, their ground was being renovated, and there was optimism in the Belfast air that they would no longer live in the shadows of Leinster and Munster, while also lording it on the continent. So much for that best laid plan. They still have the cash to attract stars such as Charles Piutau, their busy stadium is an impressive beacon of the new Northern Ireland, but, sadly, they still exist in the shadows of their more celebrated neighbours here and abroad, with on-field inconsistency keeping them trophy-less and stuck in a seemingly constant state of flux.
Contrast that with the immense transformation at today’s European opponents, La Rochelle.
In 2012, when Ulster CEO Shane Logan was outlining to Sportsmail the blueprint he felt would make the rugby world take notice, La Rochelle were getting used to life back in the ProD2 backwater, a one-season Top 14 visit a short-lived adventure due to some financial hesitation.
David McGowan was among their ranks at the time, the former Connacht lock explains how that fleeting experience reopened eyes to the popularity of rugby is in the Bay of Biscay.
‘In La Rochelle there are only two options for sport, rugby or sailing. Sailing isn’t really accessible to everyone so there’s a huge following for rugby,’ says McGowan, who spent five seasons at the club.
Upwards of 30,000 people had crammed the streets the night they gained promotion in 2010, the first time they had earned a ticket to rub shoulders with the big boys since a 2002 relegation.
It took them three years to make their way back following that 2011 demotion, but they have become a very efficient operation since, gradually increasing their investment and they are now reaping handsome rewards.
Now the Maritimes welcome Ulster into their Stade MarcelDeflandre lair, the spruced up, 15,000 capacity ground that is constantly sold out. Admittedly, Ulster haven’t completely stood still in the five years since Logan’s bold prediction
Having previously had nothing but 13 disheartening defeats and a 2000 draw at Toulouse to show in France, they have won on four of their last seven visits.
However, the meek surrenders last winter at Bordeaux and Clermont played a central part in forcing Les Kiss into the managerial rejig he will hope can define his reign – like another Aussie at Leinster nearly a decade ago.
Kiss (left) had only signed on the dotted line in 2008 to become Declan Kidney’s Ireland defence coach when Michael Cheika conducted his summer managerial clear-out at Leinster. Ousted were assistants Mike Brewer and David Knox – Cheika fed up with European inconsistencies holding his team back – and the alterations saved his bacon, Leinster crowned firsttime champions the next May.
Forwards coach Jono Gibbes was the key lieutenant recruited by Cheika in that overhaul and with the Kiwi now head coach under director Kiss, they hope to follow Leinster’s example.
On their day Ulster can catch the eye. However, as last month’s league ambush at Zebre showed, they have a vulnerability that must be purged or the likes of Logan will be left casting envious glances at up-and-coming La Rochelle. That’s an envy you’d never have imagined in 2012, when these clubs moved in very different circles.