Ireland rookie's recall 1 of 3 changes for Ulster ahead of La Rochelle

Ulster have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle.

Ireland international Tom Stewart recalled to the starting side as the northern province face daunting prospect of Ronan O’Gara’s Les Jaune et Noir, albeit in Belfast.

Richie Murphy’s side host the French heavyweights at Affidea Stadium with a rare place in a European semi-final on the line, as they look to build on last weekend’s Round of 16 victory over the Ospreys.

There is one alteration to the forward pack, where Stewart comes for Rob Herring, who injured his calf against the Welsh side and left after just 21 minutes.

Wallaby loosehead Angus Bell retains his place, while Ireland international Tom O’Toole continues on the tighthead side.

Captain Iain Henderson starts once again in an all-Ireland international second row with Cormac Izuchukwu, who is set to bring up his 50th appearance for Ulster.

The back row remains unchanged. David McCann and Nick Timoney are line on the flanks after both crossed for tries against Ospreys last weekend. Juarno Augustus continues at No.8.

There is a change at fly-half, where Jack Murphy returns to the starting XV at the expense of Jake Flannery, who drops to the bench.  Murphy links up with scrum-half Nathan Doak, who overcame an ankle issue.

Ulster’s centre pairing remains intact with Stuart McCloskey and James Hume named in midfield.

Zac Ward comes into the starting side on the left wing. Werner Kok continues on the right, while Jacob Stockdale switches to full-back, a position he has featured in regularly this season.

Among the replacements, Jude Postlethwaite returns to the matchday squad after recovering from a hand injury sustained last month, while Harry Sheridan is back following suspension.

Kick-off at Affidea Stadium is set for 8pm on Friday.

Ulster Rugby: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Tom Stewart, 3 Tom O’Toole, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 6 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Juarno Augustus, 9 Nathan Doak, 10 Jack Murphy, 11 Zac Ward, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 James Hume, 14 Werner Kok, 15 Jacob Stockdale

Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Sam Crean, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite

La Rochelle: 1 Louis Penverne, 2 Gabin Garault, 3 Karl Sorin, 4 Thomas Lavault, 5 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 6 Edouard Richer, 7 Kirill Fraindt, 8 Lucas Andjisseramatchi, 9 Thomas Berjon (c), 10 Diego Jurd, 11 Hoani Bosmorin, 12 Adrien Seguret, 13 UJ Seuteni, 14 Ugo Pacome, 15 Ihaia West

Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Christian Luaki, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Alexandre Kaddouri, 20 Nikoloz Sutidze, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Sacha Elissalde, 23 Nolhann Couillaud