Ulster player ratings: Ireland star continues ‘best-ever season’ as Rassie Erasmus will take ‘keen interest’ in ‘magnificent’ Springboks hopeful

Colin Newboult 02 May 2026 8:37 PM

Following a 29-12 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final at the Affidea Stadium on Saturday, here are the player ratings for Ulster.

15 Mike Lowry: Always a threat with ball in hand and mopped up well in backfield, but the hosts were so dominant that the full-back often had opportunities to show his attacking qualities. 7

14 Zac Ward: He’s had a brilliant season but the wing was strangely quiet on Saturday. Ward did the fundamentals well enough but he was rarely seen in space. 5

Impressive centre duo

13 Jude Postlethwaite: There may have been concern that a Postlethwaite-McCloskey midfield was too similar, but their ability to get their hands free and off-load meant they had plenty of variety in attack. Postlethwaite was strong in contact and often managed to get the ball away before being taken to ground. Very impressive. 8

12 Stuart McCloskey: Immense once again from the 33-year-old, who is having his best-ever season. McCloskey was incredible in both attack and defence as Exeter constantly struggled to bring him down. 9

11 Jacob Stockdale: Ulster were perhaps lucky not to be down to 14 men for a bit longer when Stockdale was only sin-binned for his high hit on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. He then didn’t come out for second period with Ethan McIlroy replacing him. 5

10 Jack Murphy: An understated showing from the fly-half. Scored a try and dictated the proceedings nicely while keeping his side moving forward. More of a facilitator than a general, but Murphy still did a fine job. 7

9 Nathan Doak: The scrum-half is another to have an excellent campaign and he was in superb form in the Challenge Cup semi-final. Doak guided the hosts around the field wonderfully as they proved far too strong for Exeter. Classy effort. 8

Mammoth performance

8 Juarno Augustus: Has thrived since moving to the northern hemisphere and on this showing should be in the Springboks squad. Rassie Erasmus doesn’t lack for quality number eights but he will be taking a keen interest in the back-rower ahead of the Nations Championship. Augustus was magnificent in every facet. 9

7 Nick Timoney: A pest at the breakdown as ever with Exeter often struggling to get quick ball. Carried well at times, too, but it was his work at the contact area which made it incredibly difficult for the English outfit. 7

6 Dave McCann: Does the nuts and bolts very well and was rewarded for his effort with a try. That score was one of his 12 carries with McCann one of the forwards to set the physical tone for the Ulstermen. 7

5 Cormac Izuchukwu: Not many locks are in better form than Izuchukwu, who was another player to carry with real ferocity, while he was also exceptional in the technical aspects as he produced another statement display. 8

4 Iain Henderson (c): Provided a nice foil to his lock partner. Still a real presence at close quarters with Exeter tacklers falling off him. 7

Big shifts

3 Tom O’Toole: A big shift for almost 70 minutes from the tighthead. O’Toole was solid in the scrum and provided impact in the loose by regularly getting over the gain line. 7

2 Tom Stewart: The odd lineout issue aside in the second period, Stewart was excellent. Was utilised nicely in the wider channels, helping Ulster to get front-foot ball, and deservedly rumbled over. 8

1 Sam Crean: Had big shoes to fill with Angus Bell out but did his job in the scrum and worked hard around the field. He certainly wasn’t a weakness, which some might have feared before the game. 6

Replacements: Most of the bench came on in the final quarter, which meant the game was over at that point. The exception was Ethan McIlroy, who replaced Stockdale at the break and was outstanding in the final 40 minutes. Some big moments both with and without the ball. 7

Challenge Cup