Irish Rugby

Jude McCann
BBC Sport NI

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Head coach Richie Murphy says Ulster must play to their strengths to overcome Exeter Chiefs in Friday's Investec Champions Cup encounter at Kingspan Stadium (20:00 GMT).

While both teams are winless in the Investec Champions Cup this season, a victory for either side would keep alive their slim chances of reaching the knockout stages.

"I think it's going to be a really tough game, obviously both teams haven't won in Europe yet so there's a prize in relation to that," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"We felt the second half of the Leicester game got away from us and we probably went into our shell a little bit.

"This week is all about going back to what we do well and trying to get the ball on the pitch, trying to play to the space."

Ulster have been forced to deal with a mounting injury list this season, especially in the backline with Rob Lyttle named on the bench for Friday's game after being brought in on a short-term deal to help cover the club's back-three shortages.

"There's a couple of boys coming back in now, we'll have that experience of Mikey Lowry whose being around for a long time now. Moore coming back in at full-back gives us something as well," added Murphy.

"Rob coming back into the front row settles that down a little bit as well."

Despite losing five of their past six games, Murphy believes Ulster are getting back on track.

"We're not happy with the results over the last couple of weeks," he admitted.

"But we feel like we're moving in the right direction so we've just got to keep building."

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As an Ulsterman who moved to England at a young age and became an Exeter Chiefs legend, Friday's Investec Champions Cup match between the sides at Kingspan Stadium is especially significant for Gareth Steenson.

Having failed to land a contract at Ulster, Steenson - who played for Ireland's under-19 and under-21 sides - joined then-Division One side Rotherham Titans in 2006 in a bid to revive his career.

After a year there and another with Cornish Pirates, he signed for Exeter Chiefs in 2008. It would become his home for 16 years.

During a 12-year playing career at Sandy Park, the fly-half was a key protagonist in the Chiefs' odyssey from second-tier obscurity to the Premiership summit, twice lifting the title in 2017 and 2020.

He was also part of the squad that won the Champions Cup in 2020 and retired that year as the club's all-time leading points scorer.

Having spent four years on the Chiefs' coaching staff, Steenson is back home working as a backs coach with City of Armagh.

"This is my home club, this is where I first started playing rugby all those years ago," he tells BBC Sport NI.

"I was a wee soccer lad but then I was brought along here when I was in primary school and that's where I learnt the game. And to come back now after all these years, it just feels sort of right, it's kind of coming full circle."

As a boyhood Ulster fan who was granted the Freedom of the City of Exeter a few years ago, Steenson admits Friday's game will be "strange" for him, like it was when he captained the Chiefs to a European Cup pool win over his home province in January 2017.

"I have a lot of friends who are going to be turning out for the Chiefs this weekend," said Steenson, who has been a regular Sportsound contributor on Ulster matches this season.

On the 2017 game, he added: "It was probably one of the proudest nights I've ever had, to captain Exeter Chiefs against Ulster on a Saturday night in the Heineken Cup...albeit I never expected myself not to be wearing a white jersey that night."

As for Friday's game, Steenson believes Ulster and Exeter are in a "similar place" with both sides having lost all three pool games this season.

"They're struggling for confidence, really, aren't they?," he said of the Chiefs.

"It's been a difficult campaign. The group they actually have, there's only one fellow in that squad who didn't play in the quarter-final of Europe last year against Toulouse.

"So, as much as they talk about them learning, there's still some experienced guys in there. The group that'll come across here, they'll get excited at the opportunity.

"They've got an opportunity this weekend to create history. Never has an Exeter Chiefs team won in a European Cup on Irish soil."

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Ulster prop Eric O'Sullivan admits Ulster have "underperformed" at times this season as their European hopes hang in the balance.

After three heavy defeats by Toulouse, Bordeaux and Leicester, Ulster host Exeter Chiefs in their final Pool A match in the Investec Champions Cup.

Ulster require a bonus-point win and need Sharks' game with Bordeaux to go in their favour if they are to qualify for the last-16.

The Sharks also have a vastly superior points difference over Ulster.

A draw or a win would guarantee Challenge Cup rugby at a minimum, while defeat would send Exeter, also without a win in Europe, through at Ulster's expense.

"Obviously Exeter have struggled at times as well," said O'Sullivan, who signed a contract extension on Tuesday.

"Going into it we've definitely underperformed based on where we expect to see ourselves.

"That is something we want to set right so it's a big game for us."

Richie Murphy's injury-hit side have just one victory in their last seven matches and O'Sullivan admits victory over Exeter would be "huge" for morale.

The 29-year-old admits Ulster's form "has been a bit up and down" but believes consistency is key to help the Irish province keep "trending in the right direction".

"Everyone is probably a bit of a confidence player. To get a win and boost morale a bit, everyone will feel better for that," he said.

"It would be huge for us and give us a boost heading into our next block of games.

"We're ambitious as a squad and you have to get the results to be able to achieve that."

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Former Ireland and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris says James McNabney has to relish the opportunity after his selection as a development player in Ireland's Six Nations squad.

The 21-year-old Ulster back row will travel to Portugal for the team's pre-tournament training camp before the opener against England on 1 February.

"It's an interesting selection because he certainly hasn't been Ulster's first-choice back row," said Ferris.

"He's very, very good with ball in hand. He's got a turn of pace. He's a big man as well. That's something that we've been crying out for in Ulster and of course with Ireland at times.

"It's a huge opportunity for him. He's got to go down there and relish it. You don't go down to the Irish camp and think you're a development player and just hide behind and not say too much. You want to absolutely get stuck in."

Uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle was named in Simon Easterby's squad, which was announced on Wednesday with a trio of Ulster players - Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu - making the 36-man panel.

"It's obviously very much the same familiar faces that we're all accustomed to, that have represented Ireland and their province as well over the last five or six seasons.

"And off the back of the teams that are playing really well, they've got a number of players in there. All in all, [I'm] very pleased, lots of experience, and a number of players obviously at the top of their game.

"I don't think there's anybody clear and obvious that has been left out, and you would say, they should be nailed on. I think somebody like Stuart McCloskey or Jude Postlethwaite are maybe unlucky with the centres."

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Forwards coach Jimmy Duffy says Ulster "know exactly what we need to do" as they bid to extend their interest in European competition this season.

Despite three heavy defeats in the Investec Champions Cup pool stages, Ulster retain slim hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds ahead of Friday's home encounter with Exeter Chiefs.

In order to reach the next stage, Ulster would need:

• A bonus-point win over Exeter

• For the Sharks to lose against Bordeaux and not pick up a point

• To eliminate the 56-point difference between themselves and the Sharks

Failing that, a draw or victory of any kind over Exeter would secure passage into the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

Ulster dropped into the second-tier competition last season after failing to progress in the Champions Cup, beating Montpellier in the round of 16 before a heavy quarter-final loss away to Clermont.

"I know where we are in everything," Duffy told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's all about those fundamentals. We go out to win every game, be smart and put ourselves in a position to win it and then we'll know what we need to do."

While Ulster's Champions Cup defeats have come at the hands of three in-form teams - Toulouse, Bordeaux and Leicester - Exeter have also struggled in this season's competition, with three defeats leaving the Premiership side with a points difference of -113 (Ulster are on -89).

The Chiefs have endured a difficult domestic campaign too, sitting second-from-bottom in the Premiership, but Duffy points to their recent 22-15 win over Gloucester as an example of their quality.

"We're playing against a very experienced side who have been close in games," added Duffy.

"[They] had a big win against Gloucester a couple of weeks ago so we know exactly what we need to do: number one, put ourselves in a position to win, minimise those errors that cost us last week and we'll chase what we need to chase."

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Ireland have received a boost on the eve of their Six Nations squad announcement with Leinster confirming that Dan Sheehan and James Lowe are nearing a return to action.

Hooker Sheehan, 26, has not played since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Ireland's defeat by South Africa in July.

New Zealand-born wing Lowe, 32, has been out since Ireland's Autumn Nations Series win over Australia on 30 November with a calf problem.

In an injury bulletin issued on Tuesday, Leinster said both players may feature in Saturday's Champions Cup match against Bath at Aviva Stadium.

Ireland back row Will Connors is also in contention, having been sidelined since the end of November.

Fit-again international trio Tadhg Furlong, Jack Conan and Ciaran Frawley all came through Sunday's win at La Rochelle without injury.

Having already qualified for the last 16, Leo Cullen's side - who have won all 12 of their games this season - are looking to seal top spot in Champions Cup pool 2 when they welcome Premiership leaders Bath to Dublin on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby names his Six Nations squad on Wednesday.

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Ulster full-back Ethan McIlroy sustained a "significant" knee injury in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup defeat away to Leicester Tigers.

McIlroy, who was making his return from injury, was forced off after 22 minutes of the game at Welford Road after pulling up hurt when catching the ball.

Ulster said on Tuesday that the 24-year-old will visit a specialist to determine the extent of the injury.

Wing Zac Ward will follow return-to-play protocols after being forced off with a concussion midway through the second half.

In a boost to head coach Richie Murphy's back-three options, Michael Lowry and Stewart Moore have returned to full training ahead of Ulster's final Pool A match with Exeter Chiefs and will be assessed for selection.

First-choice hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart will also be monitored ahead of the game after returning to training from injury.

Progression in the Champions Cup is unlikely even if Ulster defeat Exeter on Friday; however, a draw or victory in Belfast would secure fifth in the pool and a place in the Challenge Cup.

Ulster have lost all three of their European matches so far this season, to Toulouse, Bordeaux and Leicester, while Exeter are also winless in the competition.

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Experienced Ulster forwards Eric O'Sullivan and John Andrew have signed contract extensions.

Loosehead prop O'Sullivan has penned a new deal until 2027 while hooker Andrew has committed his future to the club until 2026.

Dubliner O'Sullivan, 29, has made 125 appearances for the province since his debut in 2018.

"I feel very at home here and enjoy playing with of a great group of lads," said O'Sullivan.

"We are developing a squad for the future and I'm excited to be a part of that."

Ballymena native Andrew, 31, said he is "very happy" to have extended for another season.

"It's always an honour for me every chance I get to play for Ulster, and I'll be doing everything I can to contribute to the team both on and off the pitch for the rest of this season and beyond," said Andrew, who made his debut in 2015."

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New Ireland under-20 head coach Neil Doak has included five Ulster players in his squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

Forwards Connor Magee, Tom McAllister and Henry Walker and backs Daniel Green and Clark Logan are included in the 31-man panel.

Doak was named under-20 boss in December, succeeding another former Ulster player Willie Faloon, who had led the team to the semi-finals of World Rugby Under-20 Championship last summer.

Connacht back row Eanna McCarthy will captain the squad, which features six returning players: Walker, Alex Usanov, Alan Spicer, Mikey Yarr, Billy Corrigan and Will Wootton.

"We have been working hard for a number of weeks and it's an exciting time for these young players, who have the honour of representing the wider group in the Six Nations," said Doak.

"We, as coaches, have pushed the players over the last number of months and I have been impressed by their work-rate, commitment, and application.

"Now our focus turns to performance and the opening game against England, which we know will be a big challenge first up."

Having relinquished their title to England last year, Ireland host the holders in the opening round on 30 January. Ireland then travel to Wales and Scotland and host France before the final game away to Italy.

Ireland Under-20 squad

Forwards (17): Billy Bohan (Corinthians RFC/Connacht Rugby), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster Rugby), Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster Rugby), Connor Magee (Banbridge RFC/Ulster Rugby), Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster Rugby), Eanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht Rugby), Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Aaron O'Brien (St Mary's College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht Rugby), Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster Rugby), Alex Usanov (Clontarf RFC/Leinster Rugby), Henry Walker (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster Rugby), David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Adam Watchorn (Kilkenny College/Leinster Rugby), Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster Rugby).

Backs (14): Andrew Doyle (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster Rugby), Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Daniel Green (Queen's University RFC/Ulster Rugby), Dylan Hicks (Garryowen FC/Munster Rugby), Gene O'Leary Kareem (UCC FC/Munster Rugby), Clark Logan (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster Rugby), Ciaran Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster Rugby), Andre Ryan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster Rugby), Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster Rugby), Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere/Leinster Rugby), Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby).

Ireland U20 Six Nations fixtures

All times GMT

Thursday, 30 January: Ireland v England, Virgin Media Park, 19:45

Saturday, 8 February: Scotland v Ireland, Hive Stadium, 19:45

Friday, 21 February: Wales v Ireland, Rodney Parade, 19:45

Friday, 7 March: Ireland v France, Virgin Media Park, 20:00

Friday, 14 March: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 19:45

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Ireland flanker Peter O'Mahony will be monitored for selection before Munster's final European Pool match as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.

Munster travel to Northampton Saints, who have already qualified, in the final round of Pool Three fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup.

The Irish province say O'Mahony, 35, will "increase his training load" and a decision on his availability will be made "later in the week".

The potential return of O'Mahony will be a boost to Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby, who names his Six Nations squad on Wednesday.

However, Munster will be without wing Shane Daly, who is following return to play protocols after failing a head injury assessment during Saturday's win over Saracens.

Scrum-half Conor Murray, back row Jack O'Donoghue and hooker Diarmuid Barron are all available for selection after returning to action in the 17-12 win over the English side, which put Munster into second place in the Pool.

Wing Diarmuid Kilgallen has also returned to full training following a wrist injury and prop Mark Donnelly has recovered from an ankle injury sustained on Emerging Ireland duty in September.

Victory over Northampton would secure a place in the knock-out stages and a home last-16 tie.

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Challenge Cup pool 1

Connacht (27) 52

Tries: B Murphy 3, Jansen, Bealham, J Murphy, Aungier, Tierney-Martin, Hurley-Langton Pen: Ioane Cons: Ioane 2

Lyon (10) 24

Tries: Matavesi, Regard, Marchand Pen: Page-Relo Cons: Page-Relo, Meliande 2

Ben Murphy scored a hat-trick as Connacht hammered Lyon in the Challenge Cup to secure top spot in pool 1 with a game to spare.

Scrum-half Murphy, who signed a contract extension earlier this week, bagged two tries before half-time with Sean Jansen and Finlay Bealham scores sealing the bonus point before the break.

Murphy, who faced his father and brother in Connacht's defeat by Ulster over the festive period, has now scored seven tries in 10 games since joining the Westerners from Leinster last summer.

Lyon's Fijian hooker Sam Matavesi crossed in the first half but Connacht pulled further clear early in the second half with Josh Murphy scoring before his namesake completed his treble.

Thibaut Regard and Guillaume Marchand were also on target for the Top 14 side in the second half but Jack Aungier, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Shamus Hurley-Langton ensured a Connacht rout in Galway.

It was a much-needed boost for Connacht in their first outing since Ireland wing Mack Hansen's three-match ban for criticising match officials in last month's United Rugby Championship loss to Leinster.

Connacht, who have taken a maximum 15 points in this season's competition, travel to Cardiff in the final round of pool games on Friday (20:00 GMT) knowing that a home tie in the last-16 is already sealed.

Connacht: S Cordero; C Mullins, P O'Conor, B Aki, S Jennings; J Ioane, B Murphy; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; O Dowling, J Joyce; C Prendergast (capt), S Hurley-Langton, S Jansen.

Replacements: Duggan, Tierney-Martin, Aungier, J Murphy, P Boyle, C Forde, D Hawkshaw, C Blade.

Lyon: A Tchaptchet; S Radradra, J Maraku, T Regard, V Rattez; F Smith, M Page-Relo; H Kaabeche, S Matavesi, I Aptsiauri; F Lambey (capt), T Lavanini; S Blanc-Mappaz, M Okuya, M Gouzou.

Replacements: Ainsley, Marchand, Pakihivatau, Geraci, PS Pacheco, Parisien, Meliande, Cassang.

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport journalist

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Investec Champions Cup Pool 1

Leicester Tigers: (12) 38

Try: Bassett 3, Hassell-Collins 2, Perese Con: Pollard 2, Steward, Shillcock

Ulster: (10) 10

Try: Timoney Con: Doak Pen: Doak

Josh Bassett scored a hat-trick as Leicester Tigers recovered from a sloppy start to beat Ulster and secure qualification for the knockout stage of the Investec Champions Cup.

Ulster arrived at Welford Road without a point from their opening two games in Pool 1 but scored a surprise first try through Nick Timoney.

Leicester seemed undercooked in the freezing East Midlands conditions but Bassett opened his account with a fine finish out wide.

Nathan Doak's early penalty meant Ulster led as the clock ticked into the red at the end of the first half but the hosts still had time to nudge in front at the break after running another backs move for Bassett to double his tally.

An infuriated Michael Cheika was seen lambasting his players during the interval and Leicester were much improved after the break following their head coach's stern words.

Watching Bassett cross twice inspired fellow Tigers wing Ollie Hassell-Collins to join the act with two tries of his own as the hosts wrapped up the bonus point.

Bassett found more space close to the touchline to run clear for his third before Izaia Perese also crossed to add further gloss to the scoreline.

Tigers remain third with a final pool game at champions Toulouse to come next Sunday, while Ulster will need to beat Exeter with a bonus point and hope Sharks leave Bordeaux-Begles empty-handed to qualify.

Leicester warm up to the challenge

Leicester cruised past an under-strength Sharks side in their last Champions Cup outing but lacked the same fluency in the opening exchanges against Ulster.

Doak's penalty handed the Irish province the lead before Timoney was the beneficiary of a fortuitous bounce from a clearance kick which beat two covering Leicester defenders.

The hosts are trying to employ more width in their attacks but struggled for accuracy, though their intent eventually paid dividends when Bassett was fed wide for a clinical finish cutting back against the traffic.

The winger crossed by a similar method in the same corner to hand Tigers the lead at the break, and Cheika's side let the handbrake off in the second half.

Leicester made inroads with the pack before whipping the ball wide again for Hassell-Collins to score, before the winger doubled his tally soon after following some neat hands despite the bitter cold.

Bassett was not to be outdone by his wing partner and latched on to his own kick through for the hat-trick as the youthful Ulster backline failed to clear the danger, before Perese skipped through close to the same touchline for the final flurry.

Line-ups

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Bassett; Perese, Kata; Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (capt), Heyes; Henderson, Holloway; Carnduff, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Cole, Wells, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Woodward.

Ulster: McIlroy; Kok; Carson, Postlewaite; Ward; Morgan, Doak; Warwick, Andrew, Wilson; Henderson (capt), Izuchukwu; McNabney, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: McCormick, O'Sullivan, Barrett, Treadwell, Sheridan, Cooney, Murphy, Telfer.

Referee: Craig Evans (Wal)

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Clovers moved level with Irish rivals Wolfhounds at the top of the Celtic Challenge table with a comprehensive 40-19 victory over Edinburgh in Cork.

Amee-Leigh Costigan, Beth Buttimer, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Enya Breen, Jemima Adams Verling and Chisom Ugwueru all crossed as Clovers secured their third bonus-point win to keep pace with Wolfhounds, who thrashed Brython Thunder earlier on Saturday.

Denis Fogarty's side led 21-5 at half-time thanks to fine tries from Amee-Leigh Costigan and Nic a Bhaird either side of Buttimer's maul score, with Hannah Walker crossing for the visitors.

After the break, Clovers captain Enya Breen, Jemima Adams Verling, and replacement Chisom Ugwueru all struck to put the game well beyond Edinburgh's reach.

The Scots, however, rallied late on through Lauryn Walter and Cieron Bell.

Clovers are next in action against Glasgow on 25 January.

Clovers: Aoife Corey; Amee-Leigh Costigan, Anna McGann, Enya Breen (capt), Maabh Deely; Nicole Fowley, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath, Ruth Campbell, Jane Neill, Jemima Adams Verling, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Ivana Kiripati.

Replacements: Emily Gavin, Grainne Burke, Sophie Barrett, Jane Clohessy, Shirley Bailey, Grainne Moran, Caitriona Finn, Chisom Ugwueru.

Edinburgh: Lucia Scott; Cieron Bell, Giselle Chicot, Lucy MacRae, Hannah Walker; Hannah Ramsay, Rhea Clarke; Alison Wilson, Aila Ronald, Hannah McMahon, Adelle Ferrie, Natasha Logan, Charlotte Fosbeary, Alex Stewart (capt), Samaanther Taganekurukuru.

Replacements: Kaylee Fraser, Talei Tawake, Megan Riach, Lucy Christie, Lauryn Walter, Pip Benson, Sarah Denholm, Nicole Marlow.

Referee: Shane Tuohy (IRFU)

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Jordie Barrett has been drafted into Leinster's team to face La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday after an injury to Tommy O'Brien.

O'Brien picked up an injury in Friday's captain's run and will not travel to France for the game at the Bristol Bears in December.

The change has forced Leo Cullen into a backline reshuffle with New Zealand international Barrett starting at full-back.

Jimmy O'Brien will move to the right wing and Jamie Osborne will shift to left wing.

Ciaran Frawley has taken Barrett's place amongst the replacements and is in line for his first appearance since he was withdrawn at half-time with a back injury against Bristol Bears in December.

Leinster, who last won the European title in 2018, are unbeaten in this season's Champions Cup and in the United Rugby Championship.

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have also won both of their European matches with Bath and Bristol to top Pool 2 on points difference ahead of Leinster.

La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell; Seuteni, Favre; Leyds; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Lespiaucq, Atonio; Lavault, Douglas; Boudehent, Jegou, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Clavier, Nail, Garnier, Marchais, Boichot, Kamoto, Thomas, Obiang Hguema.

Leinster: Barrett; J O'Brien; Ringrose, Henshaw; J Osbourne; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Frawley.