Richie Murphy's Ulster side look to end the pool stages of the Investec Champions Cup on a high after a tough European campaign thus far.
Limited tickets for Friday's clash can be purchased via the link below:
Saturday night's 38-10 away defeat against Leicester Tigers was the third loss of the pool stage, as Ulster battle to compete with a busy schedule and heavy disruption on the injury front.
In front of a packed home crowd under the Friday Night Lights, the task at hand is simplified for the province, as only a win can see them through to the next stage of either the Investec Champions Cup or the EPCR Challenge Cup, if they finish the pool group in 5th position.
The Chiefs have also endured a tough campaign, after successive defeats against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Toulouse and last weekend's 17-69 loss against Bordeaux at Sandy Park.
Mark Baxter's side head to Belfast with the same goal as the Ulstermen, to finish the campaign on a high and continue their European adventures.
Exeter will hope to change the script of their season, after a tough campaign which sees the Devon based side sitting in 10th spot in the Gallagher Premiership, with one win in ten matches played.
The Chiefs have international talent in their roster in the likes of Henry Slade and Ethan Roots, and will be aiming to get back to winning ways this Friday night.
How things stand
The province can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, depending on results.
To qualify for the knockouts, Ulster would need:
- A bonus point victory against Exeter Chiefs
- Hollywoodbets Sharks to lose against Bordeaux and not pick up a point
- Hope that the 56 point difference between the Sharks and Ulster can be swung
To qualify for the knockout stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup, Ulster would need:
- A victory of any kind over Exeter Chiefs
Last time out
The Chiefs most recent trip to Belfast was a 31-12 pre-season victory in September 2022.
You have to go back to 2016 for the last time the two sides met in a competitive Champions Cup clash in Belfast, with Ulster edging the close contest by 19-18.
Late drama at Kingspan Stadium saw the lead change hands twice in the last five minutes, as Paddy Jackson's drop goal two minutes from time cancelled out Gareth Steenson's effort to secure the slenderest of victories.
Ulster supporters may remember the night for Charles Piutau's player of the match performance on his maiden European start for Ulster.
Players to watch
Henry Slade:
Since making his first team debut against London Welsh in November 2012, the Plymouth-born back has been a central figure in the rise of the Chiefs. His booming left boot, his silky passing skills, plus his ability to create time and space with effortless ease, have won him many admirers within the modern-day game.
With over 200 appearances for the Devon club already accrued, Slade has excelled for both club and country.
Slade has established himself as a world class centre for both Chiefs and England, whom he featured for at Rugby World Cups and helped to Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup glory.
Jacques Vermeulen:
Captain of the side, Vermeulen is a big, powerful ball carrier in the Chiefs back row. Vermeulen's work around the park, together with his aggressive defence and his ability to score tries has made him a key component of Rob Baxter’s Chiefs pack.
Josh Hodge:
An elegant back three player, 24 year-old Hodge is strong with ball in hand and has an excellent kicking game. At the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championships Hodge kicked all 24 chances that came his way to finish as the tournament’s top points-scorer, with 62 points. He has stepped up for Chiefs to prove his clinical goal-kicking and attacking threat going forward.
