Ravenhill erupts as four-try Ulster see off Exeter to seal first European final for 14 years  

Richie Murphy's side curtailed the Chiefs attack as they punched their ticket to Bilbao and a shot at a first trophy in two decades

WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT: Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu celebrates following the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final match at the Affidea Stadium, Belfast. Picture date: Saturday May 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Morrison/PA Wire

European Challenge Cup semi-final: Ulster 29-12 Exeter 

Ulster reached their first European final in 14 years as they beat compressively beat Exeter at Ravenhill in the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Ulster will meet the winners of Montpellier v Dragons in Bilbao as they look to end their two-decade trophy drought.

Ulster outscored the English Premiership side by four tries to two at in front of a raucous crowd emulating scenes of their last home European semi final against Stade Francais in 1999.

Exeter should have broke the deadlock on five minutes with the first enterprising bit of rugby. Scrum half Steve Varney collected a bouncing ball just outside his own 22 and went on a counter attack. He got into Ulster’s half before feed Ross Vintcent took it to the opposition but Ulster were able to scramble in defence and force a turnover.

Ulster scrum half Nathan Doak then missed the opportunity to open the scoring as his long-range penalty in the 10th minute sailed wide.

Ulster full back Mike Lowry had a try ruled out on 15 minutes. The home side were camped on the Exeter line and after a series of pick and goes the ball was moved wide for Lowry to go over but the scored was disallowed after the intervention of the TMO for a neck roll by Cormac Iwuchukwu in the build up.

It was Exeter’s turn to squander a chance on 20 minutes as their pack won a scrum penalty but centre Henry Slade missed from a tight angle.

Juarno Augustus finally broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. Ulster were awarded a penalty five metres from the Exeter line and elected to take a quick tap. After a series of pick and goes the South African No8 powered over with Doak converting.

Ulster were reduced to 14 men three minutes later as Ireland winger Jacob Stockdale was sin-binned for a high tackle on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The Chiefs made their numerical advantage count instantly as after a series of phases No8 Vintcent crashed over a Slade converted.

Doak gave Ulster a 10-7 lead at the break by landing a penalty with the final kick of the first half.

Exeter turned down a chance to kick at goal and instead went to the corner a minute after the restart but Ulster stole the lineout.

The home side got their second try on 47 minutes, they kicked to the corner but secured their own ball, the forwards making some hard yards before the ball was moved across the pitch from east to west to create space for out half Jack Murphy to go over in the corner. Doak converted from a tight angle.

Exeter wasted a chance to get back into the game on 50 minutes as full back Ben Hammersley couldn't take a scoring pass after a surging line break by winger Campbell Ridl.

Augustus was denied a second try when he powered over from the base of a five metre scrum but Exeter were able to get enough bodies under the ball to prevent a grounding.

However Ulster were not to be denied as they added their third try from the drop out. The ball was moved to the wing with replacement Ethan McIlroy surging down the sidelines. He was stopped but Doak hit Davd McCann and the Exeter defence couldn’t stop the flanker from close range as he powered over.

Ulster put the game beyond any doubt on 65 minutes as hooker Tom Stewart added a fourth try.

The home side opted to kick a penalty to the corner and the forwards set up a power driving maul with Stewart dotting down at the back with Doak converting. 

Exeter had full back Ben Hammersley yellow carded on 73 minutes for a deliberate knock on close to his own try line. The Chiefs had the final say with winger Campbell Ridl getting over in the corner with the final play of the game for an unconverted try but it couldn't spoil Ulster's day.

Ulster: M Lowry, Z Ward, J Postlethwaite, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, J Murphy, N Doak, (1-8) S Crean, T Stewart, T O'Toole, I Henderson (c), C Izuchukwu, D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus 

Replacements: J McCormick for Stewart 69 mins, E O'Sullivan for Crean 63 mins, T McAllister for O’Toole 68 mins, C Irvine for Henderson 63 mins, B Ward for Augutus 63 mins, C McKee for McCloskey 71 mins, J Flannery for Murphy 68 mins, E McIlroy for Stockdale 41 mins 

Exeter Chiefs: B Hammersley; C Ridl, H Slade, L Ikitau, I Feyi-Waboso; H Skinner, S Varney; S Sio, M Norey, B Tchumbadze; D Jenkins (c), A Zambonin; T Hooper, C Tshiunza, R Vintcent.

Replacements: J Dweba for Norey 53 mins, E Burger for Sio 53 mins, J Iosefa-Scott for Tchumbadze 53 mins , R Tuima for Zambonin 63 mins, F Worley-Brady, T Cairns, W Haydon-Wood for Feyi-Waboso 30 mins, N Lilley.

Ref:

Pierre Brousset (Fra).