Ulster 31-12 Exeter: Home side's youngsters and new men impress in pre-season win

Ulster's youngsters and new signings impressed in Friday's 31-12 pre-season victory over Exeter Chiefs.

As the Chiefs were penalised for several breakdown infringements, tries from Ian Madigan, Rob Lyttle and John Andrew put Ulster 19-0 up at half time.

Ulster changed their entire 15 side at the break before a Luke Marshall try increased their advantage.

Scores from Patrick Schickerling and Max Norey cut the margin before Jacob Stockdale's late Ulster try.

Ulster included new signings Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Frank Bradshaw-Ryan, Sean Reffell, Michael McDonald and Jake Flannery.

Former Saracens flanker Reffell particularly stood out with his superb breakdown work in the first half as he produced a number of turnovers with new scrum-half McDonald also looking very accomplished.

In addition, fly-half Flannery probed intelligently as his quick pass released Madigan to score under the Exeter posts in the fifth minute before his crosskick set up Lyttle's score, with the winger superbly dotting the ball down before being bundled into touch.

Despite looking the more experienced line-up at the start, Exeter's efforts were hindered by handling errors which include former Ulster back Ian Whitten spilling the ball as he looked certain to score.

With Richard Capstick in the sin bin for deliberately collapsing a maul, Andrew burrowed his way over for Ulster's third try just before the break.

Harvey Skinner's yellow card shortly after half time left Exeter briefly down to the 13 men as centre Marshall then ran in unopposed under the posts after fast hands from Nathan Doak and Billy Burns.

As Exeter finally began to produce pressure, front-row forwards Schickerling and Norey produced close-range finishes but fit-again player of the 2018 Six Nations Stockdale had the final scoring stay as Ulster completed a deserved victory.

Ulster: S O'Brien; A Sexton, A Curtis, I Madigan, R Lyttle; J Flannery, M McDonald; C Reid, D Moore, J Toomaga-Allen; F Bradshaw-Ryan, S Carter; H Sheridan, S Reffell, J Murphy (capt).

Replacements from: E O'Sullivan, T Stewart, J Andrew, M Moore, G Milasinovich, A O'Connor, C Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, G Jones, N Doak, C McKee, B Burns, J Stockdale, L Marshall, C Gilroy, S Moore, R Telfer.

Exeter Chiefs: F Cordero; R O'Loughlin, I Whitten, S Kata, O Woodburn; H Skinner, S Maunder; A Hepburn, J Yeandle (capt), M Street; J Dunne, J Gray; R Capstick, C Tshiunza, O Leatherbarrow.

Replacements: M Norey, J Kenny, H Williams, P Schickerling, R Tuima, L Pearson, J Maunder, W Becconsall, C Ribbons.