Resurgent Chiefs plot Ulster downfall after escaping 'dark place'

Breaking news from the world of sport: Resurgent Chiefs plot Ulster downfall after escaping 'dark place' Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Exeter Chiefs were in a slump when they faced Ulster in January 2025, but they have made great strides this season By Matt Gault Sport NI senior journalist Published 23 minutes ago As an Ulsterman who went on to become Exeter Chiefs' all-time leading points scorer during a successful 12-year stint at Sandy Park, Gareth Steenson is well placed to run the rule over Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final. When the sides met in last year's Investec Champions Cup, Ulster ran a much-changed Chiefs team ragged to win 52-24 in Belfast. That defeat came in the middle a wretched 2024-25 season for the English side that yielded only four league wins and cost long-serving coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher their jobs after a club record 79-17 loss to Gloucester.

But having emerged from a "dark place", as Steenson put it, a new-look coaching team and high-quality cohort of international signings arrive at Affidea Stadium ready to deny the Irish province a place in their first European final in 14 years. "They have simplified their game," explains Steenson, who won two Premiership titles and the Champions Cup with the Devon club before retiring in 2020. "They've worked out what their identity is, they've probably stripped a lot of things back.

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With the new group coming in, new coaching set-up, they're wanting to implement new things. "It'll feel fresher with the new voices in the room and they want to imprint what they want to do. " Ulster v Exeter Chiefs European Challenge Cup semi-final Saturday 2 May, 17:30 BST Listen on Sounds Listen live on Sounds, Radio Ulster & Radio Devon; also follow text updates on Sport website & app Roots banned for concussing 'friend' Innard Published 19 hours ago Late kicks and sad farewells - Ulster and semi-final drama Published 20 hours ago Ulster trio back from injury for Exeter semi-final Published 3 days ago Half-back battle For Steenson, England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - who has scored four tries in as many appearances since returning from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of England's Six Nations campaign - and Italy back row Ross Vintcent have both impressed this term.

But the 42-year-old has also been buoyed by the club's new arrivals. Last summer, Exeter brought in Australia internationals Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper and Italy duo Andrea Zambonin and Stephen Varney, all of whom have helped the club fight for a Prem play-off spot and go deep in the Challenge Cup. For Steenson, Wales-born scrum-half Varney has been particularly impressive.

"He's been really influential," he said. "He maybe doesn't get as much recognition but he's been a big aspect to how the game's played. "He controls the game very well, good kicking game, has a great range of passing but you can definitely see they've gotten different ideas around their attack with Dave Walder coming in.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.