Ulster Rugby

2022 - 12 - 16

Post cover — Image courtesy of "EPCRugby.com"

Heineken Champions Cup – Ulster Rugby v Stade Rochelais moved ... (EPCRugby.com)

Further to yesterday's confirmation that today's (Saturday, 17 December) Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 fixture between Ulster Rugby and Stade Rochelais.

Following close consultation between Ulster Rugby and EPCR in recent days, and despite the efforts of the Kingspan Stadium ground staff, the decision was taken to move the fixture as the Kingspan playing surface was deemed unsafe due to the freezing conditions in Belfast. Regrettably, because of issues with logistics, as well as concerns over spectator health and safety due to the timing of the venue change, the match will be played behind closed doors with no access for the paying public. As per the requirements of the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup Participation Agreement, Ulster Rugby have nominated the Aviva Stadium as their alternative venue for this fixture.

Update | Ulster v Stade Rochelais | Ulster Rugby (Ulster Rugby)

Ulster Rugby has been informed by tournament organisers EPCR that tomorrow's Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Stade Rochelais cannot be played at ...

Ulster Rugby CEO hits out at decision to move La Rochelle game to ... (Pundit Arena)

Ulster Rugby CEO Jonny Petrie has argued that the pitch at Kingspan Stadium is playable despite the game against La Rochelle being moved.

“Standing in the middle of a firm but playable pitch at Kingspan Stadium just now. Jonny Petrie, CEO of Ulster Rugby, took to Twitter to express his frustration with the decision to move the game to the Aviva Stadium at short notice. Supporters will not be permitted to attend the game at the Aviva Stadium due to issues with logistics, as well as concerns over spectator health and safety due to the timing of the venue change.

Ulster forced to move Heineken Cup clash with La Rochelle to Dublin (Irish Examiner)

Ulster have been forced to switch Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup game against Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle to Dublin due to concerns over the safety of the ...

A statement released by the province said: "Ulster Rugby has been informed by tournament organisers EPCR that tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Stade Rochelais cannot be played at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast due to concerns over the safety of the playing surface. "The match will now be played behind closed doors in Dublin." Ulster have been forced to switch Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup game against Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle to Dublin due to concerns over the safety of the Kingspan Stadium pitch.

Ulster's Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle set for Aviva ... (Belfast Telegraph)

Ulster's Heineken Champions Cup clash against French side La Rochelle will be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a decision which has 'frustrated' chief ...

"Standing in the middle of a firm but playable pitch @KingspanStadium just now. Such a shame for all @UlsterRugby supporters, players and staff,” he wrote on Twitter. That means the game will instead be played behind closed doors at the Aviva Stadium, with the same kick-off time of 5.30pm, just with no fans in attendance.

EPCR confirm Aviva Stadium for Ulster v Stade Rochelais | Ulster ... (Ulster Rugby)

As per the requirements of the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup Participation Agreement, Ulster Rugby have nominated Aviva Stad.

Ulster Rugby's European game against La Rochelle switched to ... (Belfast Telegraph)

The planned rugby match between Ulster and Stade Rochelais on Saturday will now take place behind closed doors due to concerns over the safety of the ...

Ulster Rugby made the announcement on Friday evening, writing in a statement: “Ulster Rugby has been informed by tournament organisers EPCR that tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Stade Rochelais cannot be played at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast due to concerns over the safety of the playing surface.” In a later statement, Ulster Rugby said the decision was made following close consultation between with the EPCR in recent days, and despite the efforts of Kingspan Stadium ground staff, “the decision was taken to move the fixture as Kingspan Stadium's playing surface were deemed unsafe due to the freezing conditions in Belfast.” The planned rugby match between Ulster and Stade Rochelais on Saturday will now take place behind closed doors due to concerns over the safety of the playing surface.

Ulster to play tie behind closed doors in Dublin (BBC News)

Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup match between Ulster and La Rochelle will be played in Dublin after tournament organisers EPCR said the game cannot be ...

A EPCR statement on Friday evening said that the decision to switch the venue was made due to "concerns over the safety of the playing surface" after several days of icy conditions. "That was ultimately their decision and it's their absolute discretion but we would have wanted either to push the match back to Sunday, when we knew the temperatures were going to be 11 degrees or so with rain or for there to be a further inspection this morning." "It's pretty tough [to absorb a £700,000 hit]. "Ultimately, later on in discussion with the tournament organisers which ended up being about 6.30 last night, that decision was taken out of our hands and the match in Belfast was deemed not to be possible. Petrie added that match referee Luke Pearce had found parts of the pitch were still unplayable when he surveyed the surface on Friday afternoon around 14:00 GMT but with temperatures forecast to rise, the Ulster chief believed a "further inspection at 10 o'clock this morning would be a reasonable route to go down". Petrie admitted he was "frustrated and angered" by the competition organisers' decision on Friday evening to move Saturday's game to the Aviva Stadium.

Ulster Rugby

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