Ulster v Exeter latest: Richie Murphy handed major injury boost while Test trio primed for Chiefs return
Dafydd Jenkins (left) and Tom O'Toole (right) are likely to play this weekend when Ulster face Exeter
Ulster and Exeter Chiefs look set to re-call key Test stars for their EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final meeting in Belfast, in a huge boost to both sides.
The two teams, who also met in last season’s Investec Champions Cup pool stages, will go head-to-head for a spot in next month’s showpiece final in Bilbao, where they face the winner of Montpellier v Dragons.
However, they both come into Saturday’s game at the Affidea Stadium off the back of a domestic loss, with Ulster going down 41-14 to Munster while Exeter lost 34-31 to Gloucester.
Ulster set for huge injury boost as crisis eases
Richie Murphy’s side seem to be easing their way out of a major injury crisis, with 19 of their senior squad unavailable for their trip to Limerick last time out, with some key personnel making a timely return.
Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup: Semi-final match officials announced
Ireland duo Tom O’Toole and Nic Timoney, alongside Test hopeful Jude Postlethwaite, have all been integrated back into full training after recovering from their respective injuries, and look set to feature in the match-day squad as a result.
Furthermore, Angus Bell, James Hume and Bryn Ward have also made their return to some elements of training, with a decision to be made later in the week on their availability.
However, Ulster have lost Callum Reid and Ben Carson for this weekend’s match, while Eric O’Sullivan will continue to be monitored across the week with a decision made later down the line.
Ulster will name their team on Friday.
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Exeter primed to re-call Test trio but England hopeful out
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter also looks set to welcome back some key personnel this weekend, with Test trio Dafydd Jenkins, Andrea Zambonin and Scott Sio in contention.
The three forwards were notable omissions from their match-day 23 last week against Gloucester, but Baxter has now confirmed they were ‘just rested’ following lengthy blocks with both Test commitments and club appearances.
Elsewhere, though, Exeter will be without England hopeful Paul Brown-Bampoe this weekend, with the winger out with concussion.
“Paul Brown-Bampoe came off with an immediate removal,” said Baxter. “He can’t get fit for this weekend anyway.”
Ethan Roots is also likely to miss the trip to Belfast after his red card in the closing stages at Kingsholm. The results of his disciplinary hearing are set to be announced later this week.