{"id":3719,"date":"2022-12-15T23:55:57","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T23:55:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/heineken-champions-cup-ulster-v-la-rochelle-home-side-trying-to-avoid-frozen-pitch\/"},"modified":"2022-12-15T23:55:59","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T23:55:59","slug":"heineken-champions-cup-ulster-v-la-rochelle-home-side-trying-to-avoid-frozen-pitch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/heineken-champions-cup-ulster-v-la-rochelle-home-side-trying-to-avoid-frozen-pitch\/","title":{"rendered":"Heineken Champions Cup: Ulster v La Rochelle &#8211; home side trying to avoid frozen pitch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1\">\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media story-body__media--lead\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-0.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-0.0.0\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-0.1\">Ulster are using frost covers and heaters in attempts to preserve the playing surface<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<table class=\"gs-o-table story-body__table\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1\">\n<thead class=\"gs-o-table__head gel-brevier \" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.0\">\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.0.$row-0\"\/><\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"gel-long-primer \" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1\">\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0\">\n<td class=\"gs-o-table__cell\" colspan=\"1\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0\"><strong data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:0\">Venue: <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:1\">Kingspan Stadium, Belfast <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:2\">Date:<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:3\"> Saturday, 17 December <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:4\">Kick-off:<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:5\"> 17:30 GMT<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-1\">\n<td class=\"gs-o-table__cell\" colspan=\"1\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-1.$td-0\"><strong data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-1.$td-0.0:0\">Coverage:<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$table-1.1.$row-1.$td-0.0:1\"> Live commentary on BBC Sounds &amp; BBC Radio Ulster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p role=\"introduction\" class=\"qa-introduction gel-pica-bold\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-2\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-2.0\">Ulster say a decision will be made on Friday whether the frost-hit Kingspan Stadium pitch is playable for Saturday&#8217;s Heineken Champions Cup match with La Rochelle. <\/span><\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3\">\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0.0\">Ulster&#8217;s chief executive Jonny Petrie provided a further update on Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0\">&#8220;We are making every effort that we can to get our game against Stade Rochelais played here,&#8221; said the Ulster chief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.0\">&#8220;We have various contingency plans in place, but our focus remains on getting the game played here at home.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6.0\">With freezing temperatures expected to last into Saturday in Northern Ireland before conditions improve in the later part of the weekend, there have been suggestions the match against the French side could be moved although this was not directly alluded to in Petrie&#8217;s statement. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.0\">&#8220;I would like to thank our ground staff for their round-the-clock work, which includes everything from frost covers to on-pitch heaters, with these efforts continuing throughout tonight in our ongoing effort to get the game played here,&#8221; added the Ulster chief in Thursday&#8217;s statement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8.0\">&#8220;We continue to be in regular contact with the team at EPCR to update them on the latest situation and are working together to make the decision on whether the pitch is a safe playing surface or if we need to action a contingency, with a call likely being made tomorrow afternoon.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-9\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-9.0\">Petrie thanked Ulster fans for their &#8220;continued patience and support&#8221; before concluding his statement by saying: &#8220;Here&#8217;s hoping we can come together at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.0\">The northern province <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/rugby-union\/63936252\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.$link-2.0\">lost 39-0<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.3\"> away to Sale in their Champions Cup opener.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11\"><span data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11.0\">Following Saturday&#8217;s heavy defeat at Sale, Ulster need to beat Ronan O&#8217;Gara&#8217;s La Rochelle to boost their hopes of progressing in the competition. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-13\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:11.875%;\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-13.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/109DD\/production\/_127816086_iplayer_header_grey_8-1x.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/109DD\/production\/_127816086_iplayer_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/109DD\/production\/_127816086_iplayer_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/109DD\/production\/_127816086_iplayer_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/109DD\/production\/_127816086_iplayer_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Watch on iPlayer banner\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-13.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-15\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:1.9791666666666665%;\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-15.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/E2CD\/production\/_127816085_iplayer_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/E2CD\/production\/_127816085_iplayer_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/E2CD\/production\/_127816085_iplayer_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/E2CD\/production\/_127816085_iplayer_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/E2CD\/production\/_127816085_iplayer_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Watch on iPlayer footer\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".vw0o32aq8y.0.0.0.1.$image-15.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/rugby-union\/63972235?at_medium=RSS&#038;at_campaign=KARANGA\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ulster are using frost covers and heaters in attempts to preserve the playing surface Venue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Date: Saturday, 17 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMT Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Sounds &amp; BBC Radio Ulster Ulster say a decision will be made on Friday whether the frost-hit Kingspan Stadium pitch is playable for Saturday&#8217;s Heineken [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3719"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3721,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions\/3721"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}