Ulster might have just punched their ticket to the European Challenge Cup final, but don't expect them to take a victory lap just yet. Forwards coach Jimmy Duffy made it crystal clear: the celebration was brief, and now it's all about the next challenge—a daunting clash with United Rugby Championship (URC) leaders, the Stormers.

The Irish side delivered a commanding 29-12 win over Exeter Chiefs in last weekend's semi-final, securing their first European final appearance since the 2012 Champions Cup. That's a milestone worth savoring, but with a packed schedule ahead, there's no time to dwell on past glory. "You can't sit back on your laurels too much at this point of the season," Duffy said, emphasizing the relentless pace of professional rugby.

Ulster's immediate focus shifts back to the URC, where they face a critical run of home games against the Stormers and second-placed Glasgow Warriors over the next 10 days. The goal is clear: secure a top-eight finish and a spot in the URC play-offs. "The games come thick and fast," Duffy noted. "You've got between seven and 14 games, depending on how well you go in the competitions, so you don't really have time."

While Ulster have impressed in Europe, their URC form has hit a rough patch with back-to-back losses to Leinster and Munster. To make matters tougher, key players Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, and David McCann have joined the injury list. That means the squad will need to dig deep against a Stormers side that just piled 48 points on Glasgow in their last outing.

"They're top of the league for very good reason," Duffy said of the Stormers, who boast a massive forward pack and a backline loaded with attacking threats. "They've got a lot of existing Springboks and guys who will be Springboks. It focuses the mind very, very quickly."

Friday's showdown at Affidea Stadium (19:45 BST) promises to be a true test of Ulster's resilience. After the high of reaching a European final, they must now prove they can handle the physical and mental grind of back-to-back elite competition. As Duffy put it, "We are under no illusions it's going to be a huge task." For Ulster, the journey is far from over—it's just getting started.