Bell and Hume ruled out of Exeter semi-final
Australia prop Angus Bell and centre James Hume have been ruled out of Ulster's Challenge Cup semi-final with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. Both players had been injury doubts for the game after being forced off in the United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster in April. On Tuesday, Ulster said Bell would be assessed for a foot injury, while Hume had a neck complaint, but neither player is fit enough to feature.
Wales second row Dafydd Jenkins will captain an Exeter side who are missing the suspended back row Ethan Roots, Greg Fisilau and Paul Brown-Bampoe. Exeter are aiming for a first trophy since winning the Premiership in 2022-23, and a first European success since their Champions Cup triumph in 2020. Ulster's last trophy came in 2006 when they won the Celtic League.
The winner will face either Montpellier or Dragons in the final in Bilbao on 22 May. Resurgent Chiefs plot Ulster downfall after escaping 'dark place' Roots banned for concussing 'friend' Innard Late kicks and sad farewells - Ulster and semi-final drama Line-ups Ulster: Lowry; Z Ward; Postlethwaite, McCloskey; Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Stewart, O'Toole' Henderson (capt), Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus. Replacements: McCormick, O'Sullivan, McAllister, Irvine, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, McIlroy.
Exeter Chiefs: Hammersley; Ridl; Slade, Ikitau; Feyi-Waboso; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Tchumbadze; Jenkins (capt), Zambonin; Hooper, Tshiunza, Vintcent. Replacements: Dweba, Burger, Iosefa-Scott, Tuima, Worley Brady, Cairens, Haydon-Wood, Lilley. Injury blow for Ulster After a youthful Ulster side were swatted away by Munster, head coach Richie Murphy has made 14 changes for the Irish province's first semi-final in four years.
Australia prop Bell has made a big impact in Belfast since joining from the Waratahs on a short-term deal until the end of the season, and Sam Crean has been tasked with filling the boots of the 25-year-old. Crean is joined by Tom Stewart and Tom O'Toole in the front row, while captain Ian Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu make up the second row. Nick Timoney has returned from injury to be named in the back row alongside David McCann and Juarno Augustus.