Trokkie stars as Ulster book spot in Challenge Cup Final
MATCH REPORT: South African No.8 Juarno Augustus was one of Ulster’s four try-scorers as the Irish province thumped Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in their Challenge Cup semifinal in Belfast on Saturday.
It was a typically attritional opening half hour in Northern Ireland as neither side could break through.
But buoyed on by the home crowd, the hosts were the ones to go over on 27 minutes thanks to the brute force of Augustus, who produced a man-of-the-match performance.
It was quickly answered by an Exeter Chiefs try courtesy of Ross Vintcent as the English side pulled level.
Juarno Augustus reacts after helping @UlsterRugby to the final in Bilbao with a Player of the Match display ⚪
“We played with heart and we pulled it off today” 🗣️#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/V8xsmcm2GO
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) May 2, 2026
Jack Murphy hit back for the hosts after the restart to restore the lead from close range as Ulster pulled clear.
Dave McCann battled one over after making valuable metres on the hour too, as Bilbao neared.
It was a statement performance from the Irish amid their injury crisis too, and all eyes will be on Sunday’s game (Montpellier Hérault Rugby v Dragons RFC) as their Final fate will be sealed.
The scorers:
For Ulster:
Tries: Augustus, Murphy, McCann, Stewart
Cons: Doak 3
Pen: Doak
For Exeter:
Tries: Vintcent, Ridl
Con: Slade
Yellow cards: Jacob Stockdale (Ulster, 29’); Ben Hammersley (Exeter, 73′)
Teams:
Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Zac Ward, 13 Jude Postlethwaite, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Dave McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Sam Crean.
Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Tom McAllister, 19 Charlie Irvine, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Ethan McIlroy.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Ben Hammersley, 14 Campbell Ridl, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Steve Varney, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 3 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 2 Max Norey, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Rus Tuima, 20 Finn Worley-Brady, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Nick Lilley.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
@ChallengeCup_
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