Montpellier player ratings: Billy Vunipola dominates Challenge Cup final
Rugby NewsFriday, 22 May 2026 at 22:05
Montpellier player ratings vs Ulster: The French side lifted the Challenge Cup in Bilbao after a powerful display against Ulster, with Billy Vunipola producing one of his standout performances of the season on the European stage.
The former England international led from the front with a tireless display in attack and defence as Montpellier secured silverware in a fiercely contested final.
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Scroll down for Montpellier player ratings.
ULSTER: 26
MONTPELLIER: 59
- Tries:
Ngandebe (5')
Taofifenua (15', 44')
B. Vunipola (31')
Becognee (37')
Erdocio (59')
Hounkpatin (63'), Vincent (79') - Cons:
Miotti (5', 15', 31', 45')
Coly (59', 63') - Pens:
None
Montpellier Player Ratings
Ratings by Harvey Allen.
Here’s how each Montpellier player rated in the victory over Ulster.
15. Tom Banks – 6
Always covering in the backfield with a strong kick chase, though he wasn’t tested too heavily due to Ulster’s lack of an effective kicking game.
14. Gabriel N’Gandebe – 7
A true workhorse on the wing, constantly popping up at the end of attacking moves and deservedly getting himself on the scoresheet.
13. Arthur Vincent – 6
A textbook outside centre performance, running smart lines and holding firm defensively throughout.
12. Auguste Cadot – 7
Played intelligent, heads-up rugby to expose gaps in the Ulster defence and create opportunities for teammates.
11. Donovan Taofifnua – 8
Displayed an excellent eye for the try-line, both finishing and creating scores with some outrageous skill. Defence was slightly suspect at times, but never costly.
10. Domingo Miotti – 7
Moved the ball quickly and efficiently to keep Montpellier’s attack flowing and Ulster under pressure.
9. Ali Price – 9
The perfect scrum-half display: controlled the tempo superbly and constantly identified and exploited weaknesses in the defence.
1. Enzo Forletta – 7
Part of a hugely dominant scrum that repeatedly forced Ulster onto the back foot.
2. Jordan Uelese – 8
The driving force behind a set-piece that proved decisive in Ulster’s 22. Instrumental in laying the platform for several Montpellier tries.
3. Mohamed Haouas – 7
Another key cog in Montpellier’s unstoppable scrum, quietly but effectively doing his job.
4. Florian Verhaeghe – 6
Put in a solid shift on both sides of the ball, fitting seamlessly into a Montpellier side that never looked troubled.
5. Tyler Duguid – 6
An under-the-radar but powerful presence in Montpellier’s pack who carried out his role effectively.
6. Lenni Nouchi – 8
Ran some superb attacking lines and capped his performance with a strong try against a tiring Ulster defence.
7. Alexandre Bécognée – 10
A genuine Swiss Army knife of a player, excellent in attack and relentless in defence. Made his impact felt all game, particularly with his well-earned try.
8. Billy Vunipola (c) – 9
A dominant presence in both attack and defence, using his physicality brilliantly and powering over for a captain’s try.
Replacements
16. Lyma Akrab – 7
An excellent replacement who maintained the strengths Montpellier built their performance on.
17. Baptiste Erdocio – 7
Scored almost immediately after coming on to cap off a brilliant night for Montpellier.
18. Wilfried Hounkpatin – 7
Brought fresh energy from the bench and bulldozed over for a well-taken score.
19. Adam Beard – 6
A composed display from the first replacement introduced, consistently getting Montpellier over the gainline.
20. Marco Tauleigne – 6
Continued the dominance of Montpellier’s forward pack and fulfilled his role effectively.
21. Léo Coly – 6
In a game dominated by the forwards, opportunities were limited, but he remained tidy and error-free in possession.
22. Thomas Darmon – 6
Distributed well and helped Montpellier continue creating scoring opportunities late on.
23. Jon Echegaray – 6
A couple of loose kicks prevented further attacking momentum, though the game was already comfortably won by the time he entered.
Rugby Quiz: Can you name every previous Champions Cup winner?
Every season has added another name to the roll of honour, a roll call of the teams that have stood tallest in Europe when it mattered most.
Ahead of this weekend’s final in Bilbao, where Leinster and Union Bordeaux Bègles meet for continental glory, this quiz challenges you to go back through the history books and name every Champions Cup winner since the competition began.
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