Ulster v Exeter Chiefs: Resurgent Chiefs escape ‘dark place’ and plot Ulster downfall in semi-final

While Exeter – under hugely experienced director of rugby Rob Baxter – have transformed their fortunes, Richie Murphy’s Ulster project has taken shape in recent months.

After a miserable 2024-25 that ended with Ulster finishing third-from-bottom in the United Rugby Championship, they are fighting for domestic and European honours at the business end of the season.

Thanks to attack coach Mark Sexton’s impact, Ulster have scored 210 points in their six Challenge Cup games compared to Exeter’s 204 (although 28 of the Irish province’s total came after their pool fixture against the Cheetahs was cancelled).

“There are lots of boys in there putting their hands up and probably just enjoying the style of rugby they’re playing.

“It’s infectious. They play with a lot of tempo and speed. It’s a 15-man game, which has been very exciting and from a fan’s point of view that’s what you want to come and watch.

“They’re staying true to themselves even whenever it might not feel like the right thing to do.”

Ulster have not won a trophy in 20 years while the Chiefs’ Champions Cup success came in a behind-closed-doors final, meaning a Bilbao final on 22 May against Montpellier or the Dragons is a huge incentive for both sides.

“The Chiefs haven’t won this competition before,” said Steenson.

“The way they’ll look at it as possibly completing a clean sweep of every competition, which would be an awesome feat.

“From an Ulster point of view, they haven’t won for a long, long time. It’s the chance to get the supporters buzzing around a European final.

“Who would it mean more to? Would it mean more to the Ulster supporters to get the opportunity to go and do that? Potentially, but I know how fanatical the Chiefs supporters will be.”