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Ulster Receive Fitness Boost As Team To Face Exeter Is Revealed

Ireland international Nick Timoney was a try scorer during Ulster's round of 16 triumph over the Ospreys last month ©Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy welcomes back Nick Timoney, Tom O’Toole, and Jude Postlethwaite from injury for Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter Chiefs at Affidea Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm). Limited tickets are on sale here.

Timoney (hip), O’Toole (hand), and Postlethwaite (hand) were fully integrated into team training this week, and have secured starting places for the province’s first European semi-final since 2021, and their first one at home in Belfast in 27 years.

Murphy has made 14 changes to the side that lost last week’s BKT United Rugby Championship derby match away to Munster. Full-back Michael Lowry is the only player retained, as Ulster bring back a number of key senior players.

There are nine Ireland internationals in the starting XV, which is captained by experienced second row Iain Henderson, but unfortunately James Hume and Australian Angus Bell miss out following the respective neck and foot injuries they sustained against Leinster two weeks ago.

Joining Henderson and O’Toole in the tight five are prop Sam Crean, who is set for his first start since January’s pool win over Stade Français Paris, Tom Stewart, and Cormac Izuchukwu, a try scorer in both of the recent EPCR knockout matches against the Ospreys and La Rochelle.

Timoney will link up with David McCann and South African number 8 Juarno Augustus, forming the same starting back row from the last two rounds of European action. Bryn Ward has overcome a shoulder injury to claim the back row spot on the bench.

The half-back berths are occupied again by Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak, who have scored 22 points each during Ulster’s Challenge Cup run, while the returning Postlethwaite will partner Stuart McCloskey, a 2026 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship nominee, in midfield.

After captaining his province for the first time in a competitive match against Munster in Limerick, Lowry will have Zac Ward, Ulster’s leading try scorer this season with 12 tries, and Jacob Stockdale for company in the back-three. Ward bagged braces against La Rochelle and Leinster recently.

Murphy has selected a five-three split among the replacements, with exciting talents ready to make their impact. James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, sufficiently recovered from a back injury, Tom McAllister, Charlie Irvine, and Bryn Ward are the forward options.

21-year-old Academy prop McAllister is in line for his Challenge Cup debut, following three URC appearances from mid-March onwards. Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Ethan McIlroy will cover the back-line for the Ulstermen.

Murphy’s men are unbeaten at home in Europe this season – beating Racing 92, Stade Français, the Ospreys, and La Rochelle along the way – and have scored 27 tries and 210 points from their six Challenge Cup fixtures so far.

Ulster were convincing 52-24 winners when Exeter last visited Belfast in the Investec Champions Cup in January 2025, but Henderson warned: ”

ULSTER (v Exeter Chiefs): Michael Lowry; Zac Ward, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom McAllister, Charlie Irvine, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy.