Tommy Mc Loughlin – New Ross RFC
Ulster Rugby booked their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup final with a deserved 29–12 win over Exeter Chiefs in front of 11,126 supporters at Affidea Stadium. In a semi-final shaped by physical dominance, defensive resilience, and a far sharper second-half display, Richie Murphy’s side wore Exeter down before pulling clear to keep the province’s Bilbao dream alive.
Ulster strike after early frustration
There was a stop-start feel to the opening quarter as both sides traded territory without reward. Nathan Doak missed an early Ulster penalty, Henry Slade then left points behind for Exeter, and a Mike Lowry try was ruled out by the TMO for a neck roll in the build-up. Ulster kept hammering away, though, and finally broke through in the 27th minute when Juarno Augustus powered over under the posts after sustained pressure, with Doak converting. But the momentum swung almost immediately when Jacob Stockdale was yellow-carded on 29 minutes, and Exeter took full advantage through Ross Vintcent, whose try, converted by Slade, brought the visitors level. Ulster did at least regain the lead before the break when Doak nailed a penalty on 40 minutes to make it 10–7 at half-time.
Second-half surge gives Ulster control
The turning point came immediately after the restart. With Stockdale having returned, Ulster raised the tempo and found the precision that had been missing earlier. Jack Murphy finished in the 46th minute after strong work from the home pack, and Doak’s conversion pushed Ulster seven clear. Exeter had a chance to hit back when Campbell Ridl broke the line, but the final pass went astray, and that miss felt costly. Ulster punished them again on 57 minutes when Dave McCann finished after a strong carry and clever link play, though the conversion was missed, leaving Exeter still with a flicker of hope at 22–7.
Stewart score seals it before late Exeter reply
Any real doubt was removed when Ulster struck again from close range. After building pressure and forcing Exeter backwards, Tom Stewart broke off the maul to score on 65 minutes, with Doak adding the extras for a commanding 29–7 lead. From there, Ulster managed the contest well, even if Exeter did have the final say. Ben Hammersley was shown a yellow card on 73 minutes for a deliberate infringement, and although Exeter crossed late through Campbell Ridl in the 81st minute, Skinner missed the conversion
and the game was already beyond them. Ulster’s superiority in the collisions and their greater accuracy after the interval ultimately made the margin feel fair.
The Verdict
Ulster won this because they were the more forceful and composed side when the game truly opened up. They absorbed a difficult spell after Stockdale’s yellow card, went in ahead at the break, and then produced the clinical second half Exeter could not live with. It also sets up a major occasion for Irish rugby, with Ulster joining Leinster in Bilbao, meaning two Irish provinces will contest European finals on the same weekend.
Match Squads
Ulster Rugby:
15. Mike Lowry, 14. Zac Ward, 13. Jude Postlethwaite, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jack Murphy, 9. Nathan Doak, 1. Sam Crean, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. Iain Henderson (C), 5. Cormac Izuchukwu, 6. Dave McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: 16. James McCormick, 17. Eric O’Sullivan, 18. Tom McAllister, 19. Charlie Irvine, 20. Bryn Ward, 21. Conor McKee, 22. Jake Flannery, 23. Ethan McIlroy.
Exeter Chiefs:
15. Ben Hammersley, 14. Campbell Ridl, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Len Ikitau, 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Steve Varney, 1. Scott Sio, 2. Max Norey, 3. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (C), 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Christ Tshiunza, 8. Ross Vintcent.
Replacements: 16. Joseph Dweba, 17. Ethan Burger, 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19. Rus Tuima, 20. Finn Worley-Brady, 21. Tom Cairns, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Nick Lilley.
Match Details
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR) Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast Attendance: 11,126 Half-Time Score: Ulster Rugby 10–7 Exeter Chiefs Full-Time Score: Ulster Rugby 29–12 Exeter Chiefs
Match Discipline & Scorers
Cards:
Ulster Rugby: Yellow Card – Stockdale (29’) (High tackle)
Exeter Chiefs: Yellow Card – Hammersley (73’) (Deliberate Knock-on)
SCORERS:
Ulster Rugby:
· Tries: Augustus (27’), Murphy (46’), McCann (57’), Stewart (65’)
· Cons: Doak (27’, 47’, 66’)
· Pens: Doak (40’)
Exeter Chiefs:
· Tries: Vintcent (31’), Ridl (81’)
· Cons: Slade (31’)
· Pens: None
PLAYER OF THE MATCH:
Juarno Augustus (Ulster Rugby)
Next Up
Ulster Rugby v DHL Stormers (URC) Friday May 8th 7:45pm, Affidea Stadium, Belfast.