Challenge Cup Final - Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW: There will be no farewell appearance for Ulster’s South African wing Werner Kok when they take on Montpellier Hérault Rugby in Friday’s Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.

With fellow winger Robert Baloucoune declared fit to start, Kok misses out on the matchday squad, bringing his time at Ulster to an end. His departure had already been confirmed last week, marking a quiet conclusion to his spell with the province after they fell short of the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

Baloucoune was expected to be sidelined for three months after picking up an elbow injury in Ireland’s Triple Crown-sealing Six Nations win over Scotland in March.

Montpellier are aiming to win this competition for the third time, while the Irish province are aiming to secure their first piece of silverware in 20 years.

It’s 14 years to the day since Ulster last made an appearance in a European Cup final, a 14-42 Heineken Cup defeat to Leinster arriving 13 years after they had become the first Irish province to taste European success.

For Montpellier, their final date with Ulster is another important step on what has been a strong season.

As well as going to the final weekend in Europe, the French side is currently second in the Top 14 table, with ambitions of landing the Brennus for the first time since 2022.

The French arrive in Bilbao chasing a third EPCR Challenge Cup crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2021. The French side has powered their way to the Final unbeaten this season and will look to cap off a flawless European campaign in style.

For Ulster, this Final marks a defining moment after a season that has captured the imagination of their supporters. Fourteen years on from their last European Final appearance, the Irish province have battled their way back onto the biggest stage, with belief growing that a first major trophy in 20 years is within reach.

The sides last met in the competition in 2024, when Ulster knocked Montpellier out in the Round of 16.

And the numbers suggest there is little to separate the two finalists. Montpellier have scored 235 points in this season’s competition, with Ulster on 239. The French side has crossed for 36 tries compared to Ulster’s 33, while the Irish province hold the edge in conversions with 25 to Montpellier’s 21.

Double trouble for Montpellier Hérault Rugby ✌️

MHR booked themselves a third final a week ago today!#challengecuprugby pic.twitter.com/U03OgzoWft

— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 10, 2026

Ulster will be without four key players for their biggest game in 14 years.

In the pack, Angus Bell returns at loose-head prop for his Ulster swansong before returning to Australia, with Tom O’Toole at tight-head. A calf problem for vastly experienced hooker Rob Herring means Tom Stewart completes the front row.

Without suspended captain Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan partners Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row, while flanker David McCann has returned to fitness to start alongside stand-in skipper Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus in the back row.

Murphy has opted for a split of five-three split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward providing forwards cover and Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy as the backline replacements.

For head coach Richie Murphy, the chance to win a trophy and join the heroes of years gone by on the walls of the Nine Counties lounge is something “we want to embrace”.

“We want to try and achieve what they’ve achieved,” he told BBC Sport NI.

“You know, the guys don’t shy away from the task that’s in hand, but also the dream of coming back here with a trophy in the early hours of Saturday morning. You know, that’s, you know, You can’t just dream. You’ve got to have a plan.

“You’ve got to make sure you work really hard in order to prepare to be at your best. And that’s what we’re going at.

“The guys are looking around and seeing the history on the walls, and they’d love to be a part of that history.”

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Former England and Montpellier No.8 Billy Vunipola, who made the move to the Top14 in 2024 after his long, trophy-laden association with Saracens came to an end, faced reporters ahead of the Final this week.

In a trophy-laden career, Vunipola has the opportunity to win his first silverware with Montpellier.

“When we look at Ulster, we see a team that’s very well organised, but also they can play in the chaos.

“We are very aware of the weapons that they have and the fact that it’s their last game; they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“We know what they’re going to bring in terms of their rugby, but we also know that they’re willing to go deep, both physically and mentally.

“They were unlucky last week against Glasgow. They played really well against a very good team who are top of the URC. They probably should have won that game. For us when we look at Ulster, we see a team that’s very well organised, but can also play in the chaos.

“So we’re very aware of the weapons that they have, and to layer on top of that, the fact it’s their last game. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They’re fighting for a place in the Champions Cup next year, which they narrowly missed out on.

Juarno Augustus was playing for Northampton Saints on the day Vunipola featured for Saracens for the last time two years ago. He is a fan of Nick Timoney’s work rate and Cormac Izuchukwu’s athleticism and positioning.

“They complement each other very well, but they’ve also got their own superpowers that they bring to the team: Augustus with his feet, speed, and power, Timoney with his constant work rate. He’s fast, too. We’ve watched a lot of clips, and hopefully we’re ready.”

Friday, May 22

Montpellier v Ulster
(Venue: San Mames Stadium, Bilbao – Kick-off: 21:00 local; 19.00 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Montpellier by seven points

Teams

Montpellier: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Gabriel N’Gandebe, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Auguste Cadot, 11 Donovan Taofifenua, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Ali Price, 8 Billy Vunipola (captain), 7 Alex Becognee, 6 Lenni Nouchi, 5 Tyler DuGuid, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Enzo Forletta.
Replacements: 16 Lyam Akrab, 17 Baptiste Erdocio, 18 Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Marco Tauleigne, 21 Leo Coly, 22 Thomas Darmon, 23 Jon Echegaray.

Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney (captain), 6 Dave McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Charlie Irvine, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Ethan McIlroy.

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)