{"id":392400,"date":"2026-04-10T23:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T23:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/392400\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T23:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T23:49:08","slug":"ulster-overcome-la-rochelle-to-reach-challenge-cup-semis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/392400\/","title":{"rendered":"Ulster overcome La Rochelle to reach Challenge Cup semis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zac Ward scored a brace of tries as Ulster booked their place in the Investec Challenge Cup semi-finals with a dominant 41-24 win over La Rochelle under stormy conditions at the Affidea Stadium.<\/p>\n

Ulster got out to a blistering start from a well-worked early lineout as Tom Stewart found Ward, who slipped past the Rochelle defence to open the scoring.<\/p>\n

Scrum-half Nathan Doak \u2013 who finished the match with nine points \u2013 added a penalty before Diego Jurd clawed back one of his own for the visitors and it was 15-3 after Tom O’Toole crossed the whitewash two minutes later.<\/p>\n

\"Zac
\nUlster head coach Richie Murphy congratulates Zac Ward after the game<\/p>\n

Ward was then sent to the sin bin, but Ulster were nevertheless able to extend their advantage when Cormac Izuchukwu made it over the line with a 36th-minute try.<\/p>\n

The home side responded again before the break as Judicael Cancoriet crossed over and the score stood at 24-10 at half-time.<\/p>\n

Zac Ward, Bryn Ward and James McCormick added to Ulster\u2019s score after the break, when tries from Tolu Latu and Joel Sclavi were not enough to make a difference for Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle.<\/p>\n

Watch England v Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday from 2pm on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player. Follow our live blog on RT\u00c9.ie\/sport and RT\u00c9 News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RT\u00c9 Radio 1<\/p>\n

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