Road to Bilbao: EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals preview

ULSTER Rugby v Exeter Chiefs kick off the action on Saturday 2 May
Montpellier Hérault Rugby face Dragons RFC on Sunday 3 May
Clubs from all three leagues – the URC, PREM Rugby and TOP 14 – remain in contention.
Winners book their place in Bilbao, with last tickets still available
The race to Bilbao reaches its final hurdle this weekend as the last four teams in the EPCR Challenge Cup battle for a place in the final.
Ulster Rugby host Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 2 May, before Montpellier Hérault Rugby take on Dragons RFC on Sunday 3 May. With a spot in the Final on the line, both semi-finals promise high-intensity clashes ahead of the biggest weekend in international club rugby on 22–23 May in Bilbao. Tickets are still available for fans eager to be part of the action.
Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs
Saturday 2 May – Affidea Stdium
Two former European champions go head-to-head as Ulster Rugby welcome Exeter Chiefs.
Ulster are chasing their first European final since 2012 and arrive with a formidable home record, unbeaten in this season’s competition. Exeter, Champions Cup winners in 2020, return to the semi-final stage for the first time since 2023.
Ulster won their most recent meeting last season, but Exeter’s current form points to a much tighter contest. Ulster’s only defeat this season came against Cardiff Rugby — a side Exeter kept scoreless in their own encounter.
There is little to separate the sides statistically. Ulster have scored 210 points to Exeter’s 204, with both teams crossing for 27 tries in six matches. Expect a closely fought encounter, with both clubs determined to go all the way.
Montpellier Hérault Rugby v Dragons RFC
Sunday 3 May – Septeo Stadium
Two-time winners Montpellier Hérault Rugby host a resurgent Dragons RFC side in their first semi-final appearance in a decade.
Top seeds Montpellier are unbeaten this season and have led the competition offensively, racking up 217 points and 34 tries. Dragons, however, have impressed in the knockout stages, combining resilience with attacking intent away from home to reach the last four.
The teams met once before in last season’s pool stage, with Montpellier edging a close encounter, a result that hints at another tightly contested semi-final.
The stakes could not be higher: two matches, four teams, and just one step left on the road to Bilbao.

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