Ulster Shred Exeter To Put Qualification Hopes In Bordeaux-Bègles' Hands
Ulster Shred Exeter To Put Qualification Hopes In Bordeaux-Bègles' Hands
Exeter Chiefs crush Ulster Rugby 52-24 in the Champions Cup. Ulster's knockout hopes now rest on Bordeaux-Bègles beating the Sharks by 29+ points.
Ulster Rugby delivered a commanding performance at Sandy Park, defeating Exeter Chiefs 52-24 in their Champions Cup clash to keep their knockout hopes alive. Ulster now await the result of Bordeaux-Bègles’ match against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, where they need Bordeaux to win by 29 or more points to secure progression.
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The Irish province started strongly, overcoming an early Paul Brown-Bampoe try to dominate large stretches of the game. Cormac Izuchukwu’s double, alongside tries from Dave McCann and Nick Timoney, saw Ulster head into the break level at 17-17 after a thrilling first half.
The second half, however, belonged to Ulster. Rob Herring’s early score set the tone, with Ben Carson and McCann crossing the line to extend the lead. Izuchukwu’s second try of the match and another from McCann highlighted a near-flawless display from Ulster’s forwards. John Cooney, introduced in the second half, was clinical from the kicking tee, converting five of Ulster’s six second-half tries.
Exeter, meanwhile, struggled to regain momentum despite Zack Wimbush’s late impact, including a try in the 79th minute. Harvey Skinner’s conversion brought a consolation for the Chiefs, but it was far from enough to derail Ulster’s dominant display.
Cormac Izuchukwu and Dave McCann stood out for Ulster, combining physicality with clinical finishing. The return of Cooney injected composure and precision into Ulster’s attack, as the visitors kept their composure to secure the bonus-point victory they desperately needed.
While the win was a statement performance from Ulster, their fate still hangs in the balance. They will now rely on Bordeaux-Bègles to deliver a decisive victory over the Sharks to secure their place in the knockout stages.
For Exeter, the defeat ends their Champions Cup campaign on a sour note, as they failed to match Ulster’s intensity and execution.
As the final whistle blew at Ravenhill, Ulster’s players and travelling supporters celebrated a hard-earned victory. But the ultimate verdict on their European campaign will come from the result in Bordeaux.
Exeter Chiefs vs. Ulster Rugby Scoring Summary
Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Brown-Bampoe (2’), Vintcent (13’), Tuima (29’), Wimbush (79’)
Conversions: Haydon-Wood (3’, 79’), Skinner (79’)
Ulster Rugby:
Tries: Izuchukwu (20’, 65’), McCann (26’, 73’), Carson (67’)
Conversions: Doak (21’, 49’, 66’, 69’), Cooney (74’, 78’)
What's Next For Ulster Rugby and Exeter Chiefs?
Ulster returns to United Rugby Championship action against Zebre Parma with a view to pushing towards a top-eight spot. Exeter Chiefs will return to the Gallagher Premiership with a home clash against Saracens.
Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 4
- Ulster Rugby vs. Exeter Chiefs, Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3 PM, Kingspan Stadium
- Vodacom Bulls vs. Stade Francais Paris, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
- Northampton Saints vs. Munster Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens
- ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
- Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stadio Monigo
- Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
- Harlequins vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
- Racing 92 vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Paris La Defense Arena
- Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
- Saracens vs. Castres Olympique, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, StoneX Stadium
- Stade Toulousain vs. Leicester Tigers, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
- Sale Sharks vs. RC Toulon, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 12:30 PM, Salford Community Stadium
Investec Champions Cup Format
Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:
- A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
- 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
- Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
- Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
- The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
Investec Champions Cup Weekends
- Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
- Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
- Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
- Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
- Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
- Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
- Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
- 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
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When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?
The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4.
The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup).
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