Ulster boss Jono Gibbes wary of La Rochelle ‘X-factor’

Ulster’s head coach Jono Gibbes knows all too well what lies in store for his side when they travel to face the ebullient La Rochelle outfit in the second stanza of Champion Cup action on Sunday.

Having watched the French side whip Harlequins last week in their opening Pool 1 clash with a blistering try-bonus point at The Stoop, Gibbes is more than happy that Ulster can still produce the same rock-solid defensive performance that they showed in the 19-9 win against Wasps.

Gibbes spent three years with Clermont Auvergne, whom he helped guide to two Champions Cup finals and only their second Top 14 title success last season, before moving to Ulster in the summer. But he says that La Rochelle, who finished as top team in the Top 14 before the Round Robin play-offs, is a squad riddled with exceptionally-skilful players.