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While Exeter – under highly experienced director of rugby Rob Baxter – have turned their fortunes around, Richie Murphy’s Ulster project has taken shape in recent months.
After a miserable 2024-25 with Ulster finishing third to bottom in the United Rugby Championship, they are fighting for domestic and European honors at the business end of the season.
Thanks to the influence of attacking coach Mark Sexton, Ulster scored 210 points in their six Challenge Cup games compared to Exeter’s 204 (although the Irish province’s total of 28 came after their pool match against the Cheetahs was abandoned).
“There’s a lot of guys out there who put their hands up and are probably enjoying the rugby they’re playing.
“It’s contagious. They play with a lot of tempo and speed. It’s a 15-man game, which is very exciting and from a fan’s point of view you want to come and see.
“They stay true to themselves even when it doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.”
Ulster have not won a trophy in 20 years while Chiefs’ Champions Cup success came in a behind-the-doors final, meaning a Bilbao final against Montpellier or the Dragons on May 22 is a huge boost for both sides.
“The Chiefs haven’t won this contest before,” Stenson said.
“The way they look at it is to complete a clean sweep of every competition, which would be a great feat.
“From Ulster’s point of view, they haven’t won in a long, long time. It’s an opportunity to get the fans buzzing around a European final.
“Who would it mean more to? Would it mean more to have the chance to go up to the Ulster fans and do that? Potentially, but I know how fanatical the Chiefs fans would be.”
