Bell and Hume ruled out of Exeter semi-final

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 the suspended back row Ethan Roots, Greg Fisilau and Paul Brown-Bampoe.

Exeter are aiming for a first trophy since winning the Premiership 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.