Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs

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Teams will be announced at 1300.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Harvey Skinner

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Joe Hawkins

12 Will Rigg

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Niall Armstrong

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Jack Innard (c)

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Christ Tshiunza

6 Martin Moloney

7 Richard Capstick

8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16 Max Norey

17 Kwenzo Blose

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Jack Dunne

20 Lewis Pearson

21 Joe Bailey

22 Tom Cairns

23 Zack Wimbush

Ulster team news

15. Stewart Moore (73)

14. Werner Kok (11)

13. Ben Carson (8)

12. Jude Postlethwaite (21)

11. Michael Lowry (114)

10. Jack Murphy (3)

9. Nathan Doak (77)

1. Eric O’Sullivan (126)

2. Rob Herring (244)

3. Scott Wilson (24)

4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (160)

5. Cormac Izuchukwu (36)

6. James McNabney (11)

7. Nick Timoney (156)

8. David McCann (57)

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (47)

17. Callum Reid (20)

18. Corrie Barrett (6)

19. Kieran Treadwell (168)

20. Harry Sheridan (36)

21. John Cooney (147)

22. Jake Flannery (15)

23. Rob Lyttle (64)

Well let’s hope some fringe players make their case for a regular spot.
Good to see Max Norey on the bench and hopefully Joe Bailey will also build on his obvious potential

Match Officials

REFEREE: Hollie Davidson (Sco)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1Ruairidh Campbell (Sco)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2Rob McDowell (Sco)

TMOMike Adamson (Sco)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:16:13:07:44 by Lowerwatha.

Weather Forecast as at 1300 Thursday

Partly cloudy and a gentle breeze from the south
Temperature 8 degrees will feel like 6 degrees
Precipitation is not expected

TV Coverage

Only available on Premier Sports

Some interesting selections, as is a 6-2 bench, has RB written off this game to rest some and look at more combinations?

Ive lost track of the criteria and eligibility for the European comps.

Am I correct in saying that this is a must win game if we want to be sure of being in the challenge Cup next season?

Obviously there's quite a lot of revenue that will be lost if we aren't in Europe at all.

Ulster 39 - 28 Chiefs

Am I correct in saying that this is a must win game if we want to be sure of being in the challenge Cup next season?

Yes, must win. A very strange selection when considering the potential revenue from ending 5th, with players being brought back from loan. Almost a 2nd team or pre season selection by the coaches when considering the last few games. A great chance for some of them to prove a point though.

Looks like we’re planning for 2 weeks on the beach at the start of April. Good opportunity to give the fringe players a competitive run out including the return of Harvey at 15!

Ulster 30 - 19 Chiefs



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:16:13:41:34 by Scottish Chief .

Quote:

Not Manichean
Ive lost track of the criteria and eligibility for the European comps.
Am I correct in saying that this is a must win game if we want to be sure of being in the challenge Cup next season?

Obviously there's quite a lot of revenue that will be lost if we aren't in Europe at all.

It used to be top 7/8 into the Champions bottom 2/3 into the Challenge. If the bottom side was relegated their place in the challenge was taken by the promoted side. The winner of the Challenge cup also goes up into the Champions cup which can affect whether the 8th side gets into the champions cup (this is to keep national representation correctly proportionate.

In effect this means that we would have to finish in the top 7 to be sure of Champions Cup qualification and below that, but not be relegated, to ensure qualification for the Challenge Cup.

I'm slightly surprised that RB has obviously written this game off given that any win would have got us into the round of 16 in the Challenge Cup and the "firsts" need a bit of a shot in the arm before facing Saracens next week IMO.

Delighted with this selection. Sarries next week is much more important. We have a lot of players that need a rest. I did not fancy us even with a full side out. When did we last win an away game?

Another try fest me thinks :
Ulster 42 - 26 Exeter

Armstrong back at nine. YEAH, BUDDY!

Ulster 37 - 21 Chiefs

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

"Director of Rugby Rob Baxter thinks this weekend could be a great challenge for his squad, especially with the outside shot of a Challenge Cup knockout berth being secured.

“Following the Bordeaux result last weekend, this week we tried to speak to players very openly about everything as the reality is, it was a tough day. We wanted to make sure it didn’t create a divide in the group as the single most important thing right now is that we stay together as a group.

“Where we are now in the season, every game is important so we’re expecting this game against Ulster to give our players another chance to test themselves. The lads got themselves back on track in training this week very quickly and they look excited by the prospect of this game."

Interesting motivational encouragement from 'Major' Baxter in true Paschendale style!
However what if it backfires and they do go and throttle the Irish, .......... will he rest Henry and Co against Saracens?

Jesting aside I hope some of Friday night's players, who will still be Chiefs next season, grab this opportunity they have been given in this barbarian-esque chance.

Ulster 21 Chiefs 28

Chiefs premiership cup squad getting a run out before facing the mighty Hartbury?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:16:16:08:52 by Chief10tank.

I get so confused by our selection policy this year. I don't have a clue really. Fingers crossed.

Ulster 23 Chiefs 27

Quote:

Dougn
Delighted with this selection. Sarries next week is much more important. We have a lot of players that need a rest. I did not fancy us even with a full side out. When did we last win an away game?

Bristol (23/24), IIRC.

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Two teams having a bottom of class campaign this season in the big cup. Ulster have gone much stronger so should be big favourites but don’t think it will be a drubbing.
Ulster 38 Chiefs 32

This may come back to bite me but I can’t see how anyone can forecast a Chiefs win in Ulster, sorry Hankey and Ljs399! We’ve made 12 changes, Ulster going full bore at home desperate for a 5 pointer.
Ulster 36 Chiefs 12

I have to maintain my position at the lower end of the prediction league table, so it’s:
Ulster 22, Chiefs 26

This should have been last week's selection and a strong team this week. We would have had a chance of points then. Don't see us getting anything out of this now so
Ulster 32 - Chiefs 18

Is the naughty step getting an early spring clean?
Seems we're waving the white flag on continuing in Europe, albeit the Challenge Cup, this season.
If an away game in that tournament would cost the club money then I guess I understand it.

Ulster 33 Chiefs 18

Quote:

dwhite805
This should have been last week's selection and a strong team this week. We would have had a chance of points then. Don't see us getting anything out of this now so
Ulster 32 - Chiefs 18

+1

Great to see Armstrong and Pearson back in the mix.

I'm going Ulster 38 Chiefs 21. This may be the 'others' 15 in training team but I can't see how this is a selection with genuine expectation. So unfair on some quality players to expect to pull together away from home without the opportunity to gel. Hope I'm very wrong and they kick a##e.

Lots of players in different positions and not having played together so continuity could be lacking but if they play with freedom and we get enough ball then who knows. However, Ulster 24 - 21 Chiefs

Ulster 42 Chiefs 17

Not sure what Rob's trying to achieve with that lineup.

Ulster 30 Chiefs 25. Would have been more optimistic with a stronger lineup.

Can't see us winning this. So Ulster 24 Chiefs 16

Ulster 31 Chiefs 24

Quote:

ExTeddChief
Not sure what Rob's trying to achieve with that lineup.
Ulster 30 Chiefs 25. Would have been more optimistic with a stronger lineup.

Definitely leading the way with the weekly selection changes. At least we're winning something. 😂

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Re selection coaches keeping their first choice rested and back for Sarries makes sense as it’s England training camp next week so I think Sarries will lose a lot of players whereas we lose just Henry for the game next weekend. I think that’s right ?

I think this team who have not played together will be super rusty. I find it diicult to see anything other than a heavy loss.I do not really understand Rob's selections, tactics and often his prematch and post match comments help us. Ulster 46 chiefs 22. It seems that, by sending a team that has so many changes he has little expectation of a win and therefore Europe next season. I see Innard is captain - is he off or not?

Going with heart, Ulster 26 Chiefs 32

I get the selection thinking and hope it pays off next week.
We have less games this season,no A league and a lot of players need game time and a chance to put themselves up for selection in a meaningful game.
We are in a similar situation to when we first arrived in the Premiership.
We could potentially take advantage against a stronger side next week who might be missing players.
With a team that is relatively fresh with little international rugby we could potentially finish the season strongly if we can build up momentum against teams that might have had international calls.
I guess that's the way Rob and co are thinking and I hope that it pays off 🤞

ExeterFan makes a good point about a possible away game if we were to beat Ulster. I don't know how that's decided and would welcome a comment from someone who does.
On the other hand, it's a shot to nothing, so as a team they have 2 choices 1) follow the script; 2) play what's in front of them, heads up. They've got little to lose, but potentially everything to win. I don't think they'd have stood up to UBB, but Ulster aren't doing well either.
Ulster 24 : Chiefs 34 (and considering my table position, there's nothing tactical in my prediction!!)😂

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Just can’t see a win ulster 34chiefs 12

If we were to pull off a win tomorrow then it would be an away match in the Challenge Cup.
“ The pool winners will be ranked 1 to 3, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 4 to 6, the two highest-ranked third-placed clubs will be ranked 7 and 8, the qualifying Investec Champions Cup clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, the remaining third-placed club will be ranked 13, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 14 to 16.”

R16 5: Number 5-ranked club v Number 12-ranked club
R16 6: Number 6-ranked club v Number 11-ranked club
R16 7: Number 7-ranked club v Number 10-ranked club
R16 8: Number 8-ranked club v Number 9-ranked club

Possibly Bayonne, Lyon or even Glaws could be in the mix for 5th-8th and if we win, l think we would more than likely be the lowest ranked in 12th.

Ulster 36 - 29 Exe but I could be wrong.

Thanks for the above, Scottish Chief

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

A team that's never played a game together, playing away from home against an Ulster side going full strength. Whilst Ulster have their own issues they should be way too strong for us.

It will be interesting to see if any of these players really put in a shift. A few with major points to prove. It could get messy if some players are fed up and not fully committed.
Ulster 38 Chiefs 14 is my prediction although, I wouldn't be surprised if we were royally stuffed!
Also, Ulster seem to be falling away at the end of games so if we can keep it tight for the first 50 there's a very outside chance we could nick it and that wouldn't be a surprise either!

Maybe they've put Ricky in charge as well, in which case we could see a wholly different performance to anything we've seen outside of the Prem Cup.

Just for the hell of it ............ Ulster 23 Chiefs 25

Ulster 35 - 28 Chiefs