Ulster's remarkable resurgence has been fueled by a fresh start and a wave of young talent unburdened by past failures, according to back row Nick Timoney.

Just one year after finishing third from bottom in the United Rugby Championship—missing both the play-offs and Champions Cup qualification—the Irish province now stands on the cusp of glory. Saturday's victory over Exeter Chiefs booked their spot in the Challenge Cup final, where they'll face Montpellier in Bilbao on 22 May, aiming to end a 20-year trophy drought.

"Not many people would have been putting money on us being in a final this year," admits Timoney, a 30-year-old Ireland international flanker. "The opportunity is there in front of us now. We've got to go take it because I know from personal experience, and a lot of us do, they're rare opportunities."

Reflecting on last season's struggles, Timoney acknowledges the frustration that had set in. "We all knew at the time it wasn't good enough, but it's sometimes hard to reflect when you're in the moment... You feel like you're trying your best, but it's not working and then that leads to frustration and lack of confidence."

The turning point came during the off-season, with a conscious reset orchestrated by head coach Richie Murphy. "There was great buy-in from the players and certainly from some of the important players, leaders in the group," Timoney explains. "We were going to see this thing in the right direction."

Central to this revival has been the infusion of younger players who carry "no scars" from previous disappointments. Combined with experienced leaders, this fresh blend of talent has created a squad unafraid to chase history. While a strong start to the URC season has been followed by a mid-season wobble—leaving their play-off hopes precarious in a tight top-10 race—the team's focus remains fixed on the prize ahead.

"It hasn't always been perfect," Timoney adds, but with one game separating Ulster from ending two decades of waiting, perfection might not be required—just one more performance that captures the spirit of their remarkable turnaround.