Limited tickets are still available for tomorrow’s semi-final and can be purchased via ulster.rugby/tickets/match-tickets
There are 14 changes to the starting XV from last week's URC match against Munster, with Michael Lowry retaining his position at full-back, as Ulster bring back key senior players for tomorrow's clash.
Experienced international lock, Iain Henderson, captains the team, alongside Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row.
In the front row, Sam Crean starts at loosehead prop, packing down alongside hooker, Tom Stewart, and Tom O'Toole at tighthead prop.
There is a welcome return to the back row for influential flanker, Nick Timoney, who is fit to start following a recent hip injury.
Flanker David McCann and South African number eight, Juarno Augustus, join Timoney in the back row.
In the half-backs, scrum-half, Nathan Doak, starts alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.
2026 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Tournament nominee, Stuart McCloskey, starts alongside Jude Postlethwaite in the midfield centre partnership.
In the back three positions, Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with the province's leading try-scorer this season, Zac Ward, on the right wing.
After captaining his province for the first time in a competitive match against Munster last weekend, Michael Lowry starts at full-back.
Murphy selects a 5:3 split among the replacements with exciting talents ready to make their impact.
James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom McAllister, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward provide the forward options.
Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy cover the backline.
Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs, EPCR Challenge Cup Semi-Final, Saturday 2 May, 5.30pm, Affidea Stadium (Live on Premier Sports and BBC Radio Ulster)
(Player appearances in brackets)
1. Sam Crean (17)
2. Tom Stewart (72)
3. Tom O’Toole (139)
4. Iain Henderson (C) (176)
5. Cormac Izuchukwu (51)
6. David McCann (88)
7. Nick Timoney (180)
8. Juarno Augustus (14)
9. Nathan Doak (106)
10. Jack Murphy (31)
11. Jacob Stockdale (148)
12. Stuart McCloskey (216)
13. Jude Postlethwaite (44)
14. Zac Ward (26)
15. Michael Lowry (132)
Replacements:
16. James McCormick (17)
17. Eric O’Sullivan (135)
18. Tom McAllister (3)
19. Charlie Irvine (11)
20. Bryn Ward (16)
21. Conor McKee (20)
22. Jake Flannery (37)
23. Ethan McIlroy (74)
Our Opposition
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠'𝗦 𝗨𝗣!
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) May 1, 2026
✈️ @ChallengeCup_ semi-final bound
🔙 Jenkins and Zambonin back in the row
🔗 Read the full team news here: https://t.co/BZ74N2dhzV#ULSvEXE | #JointheJourney | @LinealSoftware pic.twitter.com/T2ZYaWqWIn
