Exeter Chiefs v Ulster Rugby

Exeter Chiefs’ EPCR Challenge Cup campaign drew to a close at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Saturday afternoon as hosts Ulster Rugby booked their place in the Bilbao 2026 finals.

Four tries to two and a penalty from the Ulstermen proved to be the deciding result for the Exeter men.

Both sides took the first 10 minutes to settle into the game, the semi-final nerves still rattling. Thus was the case when Nathan Doak missed his first shot at goal with a penalty from the 10-metre line, the crowd shocked as it was ruled no goal.

Michael Lowry thought he had the game’s first try when he tore over after 16 minutes. Ulster had drawn the Exeter defence tight before throwing ball wide to their full-back, however, Nick Timoney was judged to have not released at an earlier ruck and a TMO check ruled the try out.

It wasn’t just the home side suffering from a struggle to convert action into points as just before 20 minutes played, Henry Slade took an unfortunate miss at goal for three points.

It was just shy of 30 minutes played when Ulster number eight, Juarno Augustus, took the deciding carry from a metre out as his side had camped out on the Exeter line. The conversion from his scrum-half Doak made it the full seven points.

Ulster were reduced in manpower soon after as Jacob Stockdale was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who had to be sent for a HIA as a result.

Chiefs made quick use of the man advantage, working the ball into and across the Ulster 22 before Ross Vintcent crashed over for five points. The conversion from Slade brought the two sides level on the scoreboard.

There was frustration for Chiefs when, with seconds left on the clock, a breakdown penalty gave Ulster the opportunity to kick for goal. Thus, Doak’s successful place kick brought the half of action to a close.

Ulster came out firing in the second half, scoring a try after eight minutes. As Chiefs doggedly tried for the turnover at the breakdown, Ulster fed the ball wide to Jack Murphy who was lurking in the five-metre channel. The fly-half took the pass to run the try in at the corner, his scrum-half partner then converting.

Slow line speed in defence cost Chiefs a third try just before the hour as Michael Lowry released his side up the touchline. Big ball-carrier David McCann stormed in to take the final feed for the five points.

Tom Stewart took the next score for his side minutes later when the hooker peeled off the rear of a driving maul to crash over at the bootstraps of the Chiefs defenders.

The result was already decided but there was a consolation try for Chiefs at the death when Campbell Ridl, one of the standout performers of the whole campaign, took a pass to fight his way over for five points.

In a year of development and new experiences for a new Chiefs side, this European campaign has produced countless memories for players, coaches and supporters alike.