In an entertaining match at the Aviva, Ulster suffered a second Heineken Champions Cup defeat, a 29-36 defeat to holders, La Rochelle, leaving their qualification hopes in huge jeopardy.

Despite a spirited second half rally, a calamitous first forty minutes cost Ulster severely.

Although the last minute venue switch deprived Ulster of their boisterous home crowd, the French outfit immediatedly acclimatised to the Aviva.

Within the first quarter of the match, like last week, Ulster’s discipline was punished with fly half, Antoine Hastoy, kicking three peerless penalties for a 9-0 lead.

Returning captain Iain Henderson was then harshly sin binned after Ulster botched their own lineout.  Hastoy added another three before La Rochelle landed a killer blow.

Full back, Brice Dulin, touched down a try in the corner after a crafty gruber kick from Hastoy picked him out with the number 10 converting.  19-0 and an ugly look for Ulster.

Hastoy increased his haul with another three before he scored a try himself.  John Cooney fumbled inexplicably in his own 22 and was pickpocketed by Hastoy who converted to leave it 29-0 at half time.

Whilst they couldn’t have been any worse, Ulster came out much improved from the get go and Henderson got them on the score with a pick and go try from close range.

La Rochelle cancelled that score out with their third try after more woeful Ulster defending.  Hooker, Pierre Bourgarit running in unopposed from a lineout.

Ulster though kept coming, pinning La Rochelle in at a ferocious tempo.  Cooney redeemed himself when he dotted down and converted for the second try.

Just after the hour, Duane Vermeulen finished brilliantly after a kick into space by Stuart McCloskey sat up perfectly for the flanker to ground.

With five minutes, Tom Stewart earned Ulster an unlikely bonus point with their fourth try from a driving maul.  Stewart’s fifth try of the season and a memorable moment on his first European start in club rugby.

The surge continued but with the win out of reach, Ulster opted for the posts with a late penalty.  Cooney kept cool and slotted it to earn them a losing bonus point, their second BP in total.

After a nightmarish first half, that Ulster fightback will install some hope that this campaign is not over, especially as the second half score of 26-7 is impressive against La Rochelle’s stature.

Regardless, it is now three games without a win though making Connacht away on Friday night arguably a must win for morale and points with the Cup progress unlikely but perhaps salvageable.