Ulster Rugby v La Rochelle

to the top again and never missed a beat. It just shows you that their success has been built on something solid, it’s not just a flash in the pan. What threat do you think La Rochelle offer? I was asked before the last La Rochelle game what is it about these guys that makes them so good and I think they’re just comfortable with how they’re playing the game. I think everyone on their team knows how they contribute to the game plan. Of course they’ve got some quality in there, but I think their overall collective is strong, their strategy stuff is really smart and they’ve got real confidence in what they’ve done over the past 18 months, but it’s been building over a number of years. A team of that calibre doesn’t emerge overnight. They’re a serious threat, a really difficult opposition for us. We’re going to have to be at our very best and we’re going to have to really extend ourselves against these guys and that’s a good challenge. We know we’re playing the best team in France, they’re high in the European rankings and we get a chance to measure ourselves against that and find out a bit about ourselves. That’s exciting! For the fans, what can we expect to see from the Ulstermen today? It’s about using what we’ve got, focusing on what we’re good at and really emphasising the strengths at our disposal. We have to be as accurate and as intense as possible to make them as uncomfortable as possible. If you can make an opposition uncomfortable and make them change a few things that they like doing, then you’ve got a good chance. The plan is to not allow them to set the rhythm. We’re still alive in Round 5 so we’ve got something to play for and the fact that we’re playing at home is a really good thing. I’m sure the players will really invest in this game and show up for the Kingspan faithful. We want to get fans out of their seats for their role is to make La Rochelle uncomfortable as well so we’re hoping fans will play their part today.

43

www. ULSTERRUGBY .com