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This time last year, it was not obvious what direction Ulster were heading as their season slipped away.<\/b><\/p>\n
But now, their destination is clear as Bilbao awaits.<\/p>\n
Saturday’s win over Exeter Chiefs in the Challenge Cup semi-finals moved Ulster to within one win of their first silverware in 20 years. <\/p>\n
Montpellier or Dragons will be the opposition, but for now Ulster can revel in a superb performance where they had too much for Exeter in a 29-12 win in Belfast.<\/p>\n
Heading into the game, Ulster’s semi-final record was poor. <\/p>\n
In fact, they had let leads slip as they missed out to the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship semi-final in 2022, and to Leicester Tigers the previous year in the Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n
After praising his players, Murphy was keen to point out that his young squad were not burdened by previous heartbreak.<\/p>\n
“I heard it all week, ‘Ulster are never good in semi-finals. They don’t win semi-finals’,” said Murphy, who added “one thing I would love is for people to be a bit more positive about things”.<\/p>\n
“Well, this Ulster team has never been in a semi-final before.”<\/p>\n
Murphy’s point rang true. From the loss in Cape Town to the Stormers, only five of that starting team – Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Ethan McIlroy – featured against Exeter.<\/p>\n
In the space of four years Ulster have evolved, and this young group play without fear. <\/p>\n
“We’ve managed to win, which is fantastic, and we have a big task to go and try and win a final,” Murphy added.<\/p>\n
“When we get to that in three weeks’ time, we’ll be doing everything that we can to make sure that we’re at our very best over there.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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