Ulster’s dreams of claiming a first trophy for 20 years were summarily dashed by a strong Montpellier on a steamy night in Bilbao. Led by a revitalised Billy Vunipola the French side possessed too much power for their opponents and were duly rewarded with their third Challenge Cup triumph in 11 seasons.
Vunipola, who last featured for England at the 2023 World Cup, was at the forefront of an increasingly dominant forward effort which steadily wore Ulster down in energy-sapping conditions. The wing Donovan Taofifénua collected two of his side’s nine tries as Montpellier, currently second in the Top 14 table, claimed the latest trophy of this distinctly French-dominated season.
The Irish province were never less than gallant and spirited but this was not the most auspicious of portents for the upcoming Champions Cup final between Bordeaux and Leinster. The superior depth of Montpellier’s squad allowed them to pull away in the second half and left Ulster with nowhere to hide on a stiflingly humid evening.
The stadium resembled a giant sauna, the heat still sweltering even with the game kicking off at 9pm local time. Even at that point the temperature outside was still 28C with players of both sides taking a drinks break after 20 minutes. It was a credit to all involved that the contest was as fast and furious as it was.
In the absence of their unavailable trio of Irish internationals Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and Iain Henderson, Ulster had good reason to be grateful for an early lead via a fourth minute try from Nick Timoney. Gabriel N’Gandebe swiftly replied for Montpellier, however, and a second potential Ulster try went begging when a charging Harry Sheridan dropped the ball over the line.
Sweaty hands and a greasy ball were a problem for both sides but Montpellier’s attacking potency was still evident. They looked particularly dangerous when they spread the ball wide and the pacy Taofifénua duly registered their second try with only 15 minutes gone, the Argentine fly-half Domingo Miotti once again adding the extras.
Perhaps the most eye-catching sprint, though, came from the athletic Ulster second-row Cormac Izuchukwu who surged 35 metres through a midfield hole to reduce the deficit to 14-12. It was only a temporary reprieve, Vunipola replying unstoppably at the other end to emphasise his enduring value at the age of 33.
When Alex Bécognée added a fourth Montpellier try shortly before half-time it left Ulster with even more ground to make up. The former Northampton No 8 Juarno Augustus was his usual tireless self but, at 26-12 down, Richie Murphy’s side were already staring down the barrel at the interval.
That suspicion was confirmed when Taofifénua, Lenni Nouchi and Baptiste Erdocio added three more tries in the third quarter. The elusive Robert Baloucoune and Mike Lowry did claim second-half scores but Montpellier had victory already wrapped up by then. Ulster, who won the Celtic League in 2006, still retain fond memories of their remarkable 1999 Heineken Cup triumph over Colomiers at Lansdowne Road but these days it is big French packs who hold the balance of power.
