Challenge Cup 2025/26 · Play-Offs
Ulster
Stade Rochelais
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
Championship Standings
Ulster sit 3rd in the URC with 9 wins from 14 — firmly in playoff contention. La Rochelle are 9th in the Top 14 with 9 wins from 20, having dropped into the Challenge Cup after finishing 19th in the Champions Cup pools.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ulster | 14 | 9 | 5 | +113 | 47 |
| 9 | Stade Rochelais | 20 | 9 | 11 | +67 | 45 |
Ulster
W6, L3Ulster's form has been solid if slightly inconsistent — six wins from their last nine, with all three losses coming away from home. The attack is potent, averaging 26 points per game. The R16 win over Ospreys was gutsy rather than convincing — a 4-point margin at home.
Stade Rochelais
W4, L7La Rochelle's season has been a rollercoaster. The 66–0 demolition of Toulon hints at their ceiling, but successive home defeats to Lyon (24–44) and Montpellier (33–43) were alarming. They concede at an uncomfortable rate, and nine of their eleven losses have come outside La Rochelle.
Head-to-Head Record
1 – 0 – 3
Ulster wins · Draws · La Rochelle wins (4 meetings)
Ulster (1)La Rochelle have dominated, winning three of four meetings — all in the Champions Cup. Ulster's sole victory came in Belfast in January 2018, a 20–13 win at Kingspan. Home advantage could be the difference.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2023 | Champions Cup | Stade Rochelais 7–3 Ulster |
| Dec 2022 | Champions Cup | Ulster 29–36 Stade Rochelais |
| Jan 2018 | Champions Cup | Ulster 20–13 Stade Rochelais |
| Oct 2017 | Champions Cup | Stade Rochelais 41–17 Ulster |
Average score in the last 6 meetings: La Rochelle 24 – Ulster 17. La Rochelle have won three of four, but Ulster's sole win came at Kingspan.
Extended Form
Ulster6W, 3L
Wins: Ospreys 28–24 (CC), Zebre 28–12 (URC away), Edinburgh 40–19 (URC away), Cardiff 21–14 (URC), Stade Francais 26–19 (CC), Cheetahs 28–0 (CC away). Losses: Connacht 19–26, Ospreys 21–10 (away), Scarlets 27–22 (away).
Ulster's home record at Kingspan has been a fortress this season. Their European form is unblemished — three wins from three in the Challenge Cup, including a dominant shutout of the Cheetahs.
Stade Rochelais4W, 7L
Wins: Newcastle 26–18 (CC away), Pau 20–6, Castres 31–26, Toulon 66–0. Losses: Bayonne, Montpellier 43–33, Lyon 44–24, Clermont, Harlequins 27–17, Leinster 25–24, Toulouse 60–14.
La Rochelle's away record is dire — seven of eleven losses on the road. They've also been beaten at home by Lyon and Montpellier. The 60–14 hammering at Toulouse sums up the inconsistency.
Ulster XV
Lineups have not been announced. Ulster are expected to be close to full strength for this knockout fixture.
Stade Rochelais XV
Lineups have not been announced. La Rochelle will need to balance Top 14 commitments with this Challenge Cup knockout tie.
Key Matchups
Ulster's advantages are rooted in home comfort, set piece reliability, and discipline — the foundations that win knockout rugby. If Ulster control territory and tempo, La Rochelle's inconsistency will be exposed.
Match Forecast
Home advantage at Kingspan is the foundation. La Rochelle's away form is their Achilles heel — seven of eleven losses on the road. Ulster's set piece control and disciplined game management should allow them to dictate terms.
La Rochelle's ceiling is high — the 66–0 thrashing of Toulon proves that. But asking them to find consistency in a hostile away knockout environment is a big ask given their 2025/26 body of work.
Ulster to win a tight, physical contest at Kingspan — La Rochelle's away fragility will cost them.