Ulster and Dragons Face High-Stakes Tests as Challenge Cup Semifinals Kick Off in Belfast and Montpellier

Ulster hosts Exeter while the Dragons travel to Montpellier in the 2026 Challenge Cup semifinals. Full previews, team news, and paths to Bilbao inside.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 4:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

Belfast Braces for a Full-Blooded Physical Encounter

The Affidea Stadium is set to host a high-intensity semifinal as Ulster seeks to leverage its home-field advantage against the visiting Exeter Chiefs. Both sides enter the contest following back-to-back league defeats, making the Challenge Cup their primary pathway to season success. Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has signaled his intent by implementing 14 changes to his squad, effectively resting his top-tier talent specifically for this European clash. Fullback Mike Lowry stands as the lone survivor from the previous weekend’s domestic rotation, as the Irish province looks to impose its physicality early against an English side known for its own high-tempo intensity.

Strategic Intensity Defined by the Chiefs Leadership

Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has acknowledged the significant hurdle of playing at a packed Belfast venue, anticipating a full-blooded match defined by set-piece dominance and territorial control. Baxter emphasized that while Ulster will look to boss large areas of the game, the Chiefs intend to counter with a different level of starting intensity to disrupt the home side’s rhythm. The matchup serves as a validation for the hard work of qualifying for deep knockout stages, with Baxter expecting a competitive encounter that tests the psychological resilience of his traveling squad.

The Rise of the Dragons as a Tournament Wildcard

In what marks the club’s first semifinal appearance in a decade, the Dragons travel to France as the undeniable surprise package of the competition. Under head coach Filo Tiatia, the Welsh side has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, characterized by a defensive unit that has produced some of the highest statistical metrics in the game this season. Despite mixed results in the United Rugby Championship, the Dragons have proven their ability to push elite teams like the Stormers and Lions to their limits, suggesting they possess the durability required for knockout rugby in a hostile away environment.