Bell and Hume ruled out of Exeter semi-final
Image source, InphoAngus Bell and James Hume will miss Ulster's Challenge Cup semi-final in Belfast
- Published29 minutes ago
Australia prop Angus Bell and centre James Hume have been ruled out of Ulster's Challenge Cup semi-final with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Both players had been injury doubts for the game after being forced off in the United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster in April.
On Tuesday, Ulster said Bell would be assessed for a foot injury, while Hume had a neck complaint, but neither player is fit enough to feature.
Wales second row Dafydd Jenkins will captain an Exeter side who are missing Greg Fisilau, Paul Brown-Bampoe and suspended back row Ethan Roots.
Exeter are aiming for a first trophy since winning the Prem Rugby Cup in 2022-23, and a first European success since their Champions Cup triumph in 2020.
Ulster's last trophy came in 2006 when they won the Celtic League.
The winner will face either Montpellier or Dragons in the final in Bilbao on 22 May.
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Line-ups
Ulster: Lowry; Z Ward; Postlethwaite, McCloskey; Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Stewart, O'Toole' Henderson (capt), Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.
Replacements: McCormick, O'Sullivan, McAllister, Irvine, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, McIlroy.
Exeter Chiefs: Hammersley; Ridl; Slade, Ikitau; Feyi-Waboso; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Tchumbadze; Jenkins (capt), Zambonin; Hooper, Tshiunza, Vintcent.
Replacements: Dweba, Burger, Iosefa-Scott, Tuima, Worley Brady, Cairens, Haydon-Wood, Lilley.
Ulster v Exeter Chiefs
European Challenge Cup semi-final
Saturday 2 May, 17:30 BST
Listen on SoundsListen live on BBC Sounds, Radio Ulster & Radio Devon; also follow text updates on BBC Sport website & app
Injury blow for Ulster
After a youthful Ulster side were swatted away by Munster, head coach Richie Murphy has made 14 changes for the Irish province's first semi-final in four years.
Australia prop Bell has made a big impact in Belfast since joining from the Waratahs on a short-term deal until the end of the season, and Sam Crean has been tasked with filling the boots of the 25-year-old.
Crean is joined by Tom Stewart and Tom O'Toole in the front row, while captain Ian Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu make up the second row.
Nick Timoney has returned from injury to be named in the back row alongside David McCann and Juarno Augustus.
Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy will line out at half-back, while Stuart McCloskey and the returning Jude Postlethwaite start at centre.
Jacob Stockdale, Zac Ward and Michael Lowry make up the back three.
Bryn Ward, another casualty from the defeat by Leinster, is fit enough to take his place on the bench.
Image source, Getty ImagesExeter Chiefs will be without the suspended Ethan Roots
Exeter, who won a thrilling quarter-final with a 44-41 victory in Benetton, head into the game after consecutive defeats by Northampton Saints and Gloucester.
Head coach Rob Baxter has named a strong front row as Scott Sio returns alongside Bachuki Tchumbadze and hooker Max Norey, while Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin start at lock.
With Roots suspended and Fisilau sidelined with a knee injury, Christ Tshiunza starts at openside flanker while Tom Hooper and Ross Vintcent complete the pack.
Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner, who have 24 try assists between them this season, start at half-back while Len Ikitau joins Henry Slade in an experienced centre partnership.
The in-form 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, is named on the left wing.
Brown-Bampoe is following return to play protocols so Campbell Ridl moves from full-back to wing, while Ben Hammersley comes into the side at full-back.
