From Bottom to Final: Ulster Rugby's Remarkable Turnaround Under Richie Murphy

Ulster Rugby faced a challenging previous season, finishing third from bottom in the United Rugby Championship and failing to qualify for the Champions Cup. However, a year later, they achieved a stunning victory over the Exeter Chiefs, securing a spot in the Challenge Cup final. On May 22, Ulster aims to end their 20-year trophy drought against Montpellier in Bilbao. Flanker Nick Timoney acknowledged the unexpected journey, stating, "not many people would have been putting money on us being in a final this year." Reflecting on the team's transformation, Timoney noted the importance of a clean slate during the off-season. He emphasized the collective commitment from players and coaches to improve and steer the team in the right direction. This season began with a strong start, but a mid-season dip has made their playoff aspirations uncertain due to the competitive nature of the top 10 teams. Timoney remarked, "Obviously, it hasn't always been perfect, but it would be hard to deny that there hasn't been progress." He urged the team to maintain their focus and work ethic each week. After the victory over Exeter, coach Richie Murphy expressed his frustration regarding comparisons to past Ulster teams that fell short in semi-finals, highlighting that this current squad has not faced those situations before. Only five players from the 2022 URC semi-final against the Stormers were on the field during the recent match. Timoney concluded that this is a different team now, with many newer players lacking the burdens of past experiences, allowing them to approach the final with a fresh mindset.

Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-04