Resurgent Ulster not burdened by past as Bilbao final awaits

This time last year, it was not obvious what direction Ulster were heading as their season slipped away. But now, their destination is clear as Bilbao awaits. Saturday's win over Exeter Chiefs in the Challenge Cup semi-finals moved Ulster to within one win of their first silverware in 20 years.

Montpellier or Dragons will be the opposition, but for now Ulster can revel in a superb performance where they had too much for Exeter in a 29-12 win in Belfast. Heading into the game, Ulster's semi-final record was poor. In fact, they had let leads slip as they missed out to the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship semi-final in 2022, and to Leicester Tigers the previous year in the Challenge Cup.

After praising his players, Murphy was keen to point out that his young squad were not burdened by previous heartbreak. "I heard it all week, 'Ulster are never good in semi-finals. They don't win semi-finals'," said Murphy, who added "one thing I would love is for people to be a bit more positive about things".

"Well, this Ulster team has never been in a semi-final before. " Murphy's point rang true. From the loss in Cape Town to the Stormers, only five of that starting team - Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Ethan McIlroy - featured against Exeter.