Resurgent Chiefs plot Ulster downfall after escaping 'dark place'

Resurgent Chiefs plot Ulster downfall after escaping 'dark place'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Exeter Chiefs were in a slump when they faced Ulster in January 2025, but they have made great strides this seasonByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalistPublished9 minutes agoCommentsAs an Ulsterman who went on to become Exeter Chiefs' all-time leading points scorer during a successful 12-year stint at Sandy Park, Gareth Steenson is well placed to run the rule over Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final. When the sides met in last year's Investec Champions Cup, Ulster ran a much-changed Chiefs team ragged to win 52-24 in Belfast.That defeat came in the middle a wretched 2024-25 season for the English side that yielded only four league wins and cost long-serving coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher their jobs after a club record 79-17 loss to Gloucester.But having emerged from a "dark place", as Steenson put it, a new-look coaching team and high-quality cohort of international signings arrive at Affidea Stadium ready to deny the Irish province a place in their first European final in 14 years."They [Exeter] have simplified their game," explains Steenson, who won two Premiership titles and the Champions Cup with the Devon club before retiring in 2020."They've worked out what their identity is, they've probably stripped a lot of things back. With the new group coming in, new coaching set-up, they're wanting to implement new things. "It'll feel fresher with the new voices in the room and they want to imprint what they want to do."Ulster v Exeter ChiefsEuropean Challenge Cup semi-finalSaturday 2 May, 17:30 BSTListen on SoundsListen live on BBC Sounds, Radio Ulster & Radio Devon; also follow text updates on BBC Sport website & app Roots banned for concussing 'friend' InnardPublished18 hours agoLate kicks and sad farewells - Ulster and semi-final dramaPublished20 hou...