Ulster player ratings vs Montpellier as the Irish side fell to defeat in the European Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.
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Ulster’s hopes of a first trophy in over 20 years suffered a major setback before kick-off, with Stuart McCloskey and Rob Herring ruled out, while captain Iain Henderson remained suspended. Despite the absences, Ulster started brightly against a physically dominant Montpellier side, taking an early lead through replacement skipper Nick Timoney after sustained pressure near the line.
Montpellier responded quickly as Ulster’s inexperience showed, with Zac Ward caught out defensively following a clever offload from Mohamed Haouas, allowing the French side to level. The Top 14 outfit then slowed the game to suit their controlled, clinical style, gradually wearing Ulster down in the Bilbao heat. Donovan Taofifenua crossed to give Montpellier the lead, with Anthony Miotti converting.
Ulster fought back through Cormac Izuchukwu after Ward redeemed himself with an intelligent inside pass, but a missed conversion left them trailing. Montpellier quickly regained control, exploiting Ulster’s backline defensive issues to score again before halftime and extend their advantage.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Montpellier used their powerful scrum and structured attack to dominate territory and possession, with Taofifenua adding another try. Ulster struggled to cope with the relentless pressure as Montpellier ran away with the contest to secure the trophy 54-26.
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Scroll down for Ulster player ratings vs Montpellier.
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
ULSTER PLAYER RATINGS VS MONTPELLIER:
Player ratings by Tom Sansom.
15. Michael Lowry — 7
Struggled under a couple of the early high-ball attempts as Montpellier threw plenty of men forward to contest. The standout Ulster defender against an impressive Montpellier attack, Lowry made a key sweeping intervention to ground a stubbed through-ball across his own try-line. He ended his match by collecting a late consolation score.
14. Robert Baloucoune — 7
Plenty of pressure on the winger, who returned to the pitch for his first match since the Six Nations. Solid in attack and threw his weight into some strong defensive reads, yet failed to impose himself in the first half to the standard of his latest run in Irish green. Raced away at full pace to gather a fly-hacked ball, but the bounce took it out of reach. Got his try with a brilliant 55th-minute finish.
13. James Hume — 5.5
Took a nasty blow to the face and was forced off for a blood replacement after 19 minutes. Returned with some solid attacking contributions, yet shanked a clearance kick just before half-time in a tough way to end the opening 40 minutes. Overwhelmed in the second half, with his hard-line carries nullified.
12. Jude Postlethwaite — 5.5
Received some medical attention in the early stages, yet soldiered on despite a wince-inducing knee extension. Carried well and distributed some neat interplay to his outside backs, while delivering several thumping tackles in midfield. Struggled throughout the second half as fatigue set in.
11. Zac Ward — 5
Missed an early tackle which opened up the defensive line for Montpellier’s opening score through Ngandebe. Knocked the ball on out wide with an audible swear of frustration after a poor opening 15 minutes. Found himself in a tough predicament trying to clear his lines on 35 minutes.
10. Jack Murphy — 6
A slow start to the match by Jack Murphy’s high standards, as the out-half gradually grew into the contest. Perhaps it was the scale of the occasion, but some uncharacteristic misplaced passes hindered his first-half performance.
9. Nathan Doak — 6.5
Provided quick recycled ball to feed Ulster’s fierce attack around the short drives. Showed and went with clever dummies, keeping the Belfast side moving forward as one of Ulster’s standout performers. Could do little to prevent Taofifenua’s acrobatic finish early in the second half, beaten only by a world-class dive.
1. Angus Bell — 5
A slow start at scrum-time from the highly rated Wallabies prop, as the referee grew frustrated with Bell’s constant early engagements. Not the Test-level prop Ulster have rallied behind this season. Quiet around the park by his usual energetic standards.
2. Tom Stewart — 6
Started strongly at the lineout with some accurate throws. Gifted Montpellier the platform for their second try with an overthrown lineout five metres from his own try-line. Linked brilliantly with Augustus before putting Baloucoune away for his second-half try.
3. Tom O’Toole — 5.5
Likewise to his prop partner, it was not a great start at the set-piece due to repeated pre-engagements, much to the chagrin of Matt Carley. The Ulster forwards struggled increasingly at scrum-time as the match wore on.
4. Harry Sheridan (Off 61) — 5
Missed his lineout take five metres from his own line, as Tom Stewart overthrew the ball straight into Montpellier hands for their second try. Stepped up to the occasion in the absence of Iain Henderson, yet appeared overwhelmed by the magnitude of the contest at times.
5. Cormac Izuchukwu — 7
Roared Ulster back into the match midway through the first half with an outstanding solo try. Exploded onto the ball for a stunning line break and finished brilliantly. Tried to disrupt a 36th-minute maul, but only succeeded in conceding a penalty.
6. David McCann — 6
Emptied the tank with a resounding defensive effort, yet one man alone could not contain Montpellier’s clinical forward drives. Frequently bundled over in multi-man carries as the French side flexed their muscles near the whitewash.
7. Nick Timoney (c) — 7
Led from the front with the opening try of the match, diving across the whitewash from close range. Laid down the law in repeated team talks as his side continually found themselves huddled beneath the posts. Tried to inspire his side through difficult spells with heart-on-sleeve carries for hard yards.
8. Juarno Augustus — 6.5
The first man making yards for Ulster, as Augustus started with a strong kick-off return. After an impressive opening, the former Northampton Saints man was quietened by Montpellier’s increasingly organised defence, who quickly got a read on the Ulster danger man. Looked downtrodden as Montpellier ran in their sixth try early in the second half.
Replacements
16. James McCormick
Unused.
17. Eric O’Sullivan (On 52) — 5
Thrown on in a double substitution alongside Scott Wilson as Richie Murphy refreshed his props in an attempt to add more firepower to the forward pack.
18. Scott Wilson (On 52) — 5
Entrusted with lifting the front row following his second-half introduction, yet Montpellier continued to march forward with a powerful scrum and rolling maul. Could do little to stop the 58th-minute lineout drive.
19. Charlie Irvine (On 61) — 5
Conceded a penalty almost immediately after coming off the bench, with his eagerness to make an impact at the breakdown proving costly.
20. Bryn Ward (On 57) — 6.5
Found himself underneath the posts soon after coming on, unable to contain Montpellier’s 58th-minute rolling maul try. Knocked the ball forward at a ruck on the hour mark to hand possession back to the French side. Responded with a bustling carry late on.
21. Conor McKee (On 64) — 6
Took over from Nathan Doak, though the damage had already been done by the time the replacement scrum-half entered the contest. Mixed in some clever box kicks and asked questions of the tiring Montpellier forwards around the fringes.
22. Jake Flannery (On 64) — 6
Dictated play until the very end with several neat miss-passes and picked through gaps in the tiring Montpellier defence.
23. Ethan McIlroy (On 57) — 6
Linked together a dejected and tiring backline for several late surges into the Montpellier red zone.
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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