Exeter’s dismal Champions Cup campaign ends with drubbing by Ulster

Exeter were overwhelmed 52-24 by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium to bring their dismal Investec Champions Cup campaign to an end.

The Chiefs, who made 12 changes, collapsed to their fourth defeat in as many outings in Europe with Zack Wimbush’s late try registering a bonus point and their only match point in Pool One.

Ulster’s first win in Europe this season could yet see them qualify for the knockout phase with the Sharks’ visit to Bordeaux on Sunday sealing their fate, but they are assured of a place in the Challenge Cup as a minimum.

A pulsating first-half finished all square at 17-17 with Exeter exploding out of the blocks by scoring early tries through Will Haydon-Wood and Ross Vintcent, who showed pace and power for his solo score.

Ulster hit back when Cormac Izuchukwu and Dave McCann went over and there was still time before the interval for Rus Tuima and Nick Timoney to exchange tries.

But from the moment Rob Herring finished a driving maul in the 48th minute, Exeter looked a spent force with replacement scrum-half John Cooney bringing extra zip to the hosts.

Izuchukwu and Ben Carson were the next to go over for Ulster who, knowing the result was all but assured, were in search of the points that would improve their chances of progressing to the last 16.

Exeter were inviting runners into large gaps and they were beached again by McCann before Izuchukwu went over for his hat-trick. Wimbush’s 79th-minute try at least meant they didn’t finish the campaign without a single match point.