Ulster Advances to Challenge Cup Final with 29-12 Victory Over Exeter Chiefs
Ulster is one game away from claiming their first trophy in 20 years after a decisive 29-12 victory against Exeter Chiefs in the Challenge Cup semi-final held in Belfast. The match began with a tight and tense first half, where both teams struggled to capitalize on early opportunities. Juarno Augustus broke the deadlock with a try, but Ross Vintcent quickly responded for Exeter. Despite being reduced to 14 men due to Jacob Stockdale's sin-bin for a high tackle, Ulster managed to lead by three points at halftime thanks to a penalty from Nathan Doak. In the second half, Ulster surged ahead with tries from Jack Murphy and David McCann, followed by a score from Tom Stewart off a rolling maul, putting them on the brink of the final. A late try from Campbell Ridl for Exeter served only as a consolation as Ulster celebrated their victory. This win marks Ulster's first opportunity at silverware since their Celtic League triumph in 2006. They will face either Montpellier or Dragons in the final scheduled for 22 May in Bilbao. For Exeter, their European journey concludes, and they will now shift focus to their upcoming Prem Rugby fixtures, starting with a match against Bath on 10 May. The match, played in sunny conditions, showcased intense play but was marred by handling errors from both sides. Ulster's Doak missed an early penalty, and Exeter's Harvey Skinner also failed to score from a penalty attempt. Both teams displayed resilience, but Ulster's determination ultimately secured their place in the final. A concern for Ulster arose as influential centre Stuart McCloskey suffered a potential hamstring injury late in the match, raising questions about his fitness for the final.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-02