THE YOUNG STAR of Ulster’s season so far, Jacob Stockdale will have to bide his time to make an impact off the bench for the Champions Cup visit to La Rochelle on Sunday (kick-off 15.15, Sky Sports).
The 21-year-old has scored five tries in his five starts this season and contributed to some sparkling counter-attacking play alongside Charles Piutau.
In his place, Les Kiss has selected his most experienced wing pairing of Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble, the latter returning to become the province’s all-time most capped player by moving one clear of Roger Wilson’s 221.
Veteran scrum-half Paul Marshall also gets the nod to partner Christian Lealiifano ahead of John Cooney.
Opposite a heavy duty La Rochelle pack, Iain Henderson is selected in the back row with Kieran Treadwell and Alan O’Connor at second row and the sight of Ulster and Ireland Rory Best returning from a hamstring injury as a replacement could well offer a timely boost for the northern province on a tough Sunday visit to France.
La Rochelle
15. Vincent Rattez
14. Gabriel Lacroix
13. Geoffrey Doumayrou
12. Pierre Aguillon
11. Jérémy Sinzelle
10. Ryan Lamb
9. Alexi Bales
1. Dany Priso
2. Hikairo Forbes
3. Uini Atonio
4. Jason Eaton
5. Jone Qovu Nailiko
6. Botia Veivuke
7. Kevin Gourdon
8. Victor Vito
Replacements:
16. Pierre Bourgarit
17. Mike Corbel
18. Vincent Pelo
19. William Demotte
20. Romain Sazy
21. Jean-Victor Goillot
22. Paul Jordaan
23. Elliot Roudil
Ulster Rugby
15. Charles Piutau
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Tommy Bowe
10. Christian Lealiifano
9. Paul Marshall
1. Callum Black
2. Rob Herring
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Alan O’Connor
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy
Replacements:
16. Rory Best
17. Kyle McCall
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Robbie Diack
20. Matt Rea
21. John Cooney
22. Luke Marshall
23. Jacob Stockdale
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