Ulster suffered a 59-26 defeat to Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Several players had limited influence due to Montpellier’s power and Ulster’s struggles in scrum, maul, and midfield traffic. Nathan Doak’s early box-kick helped create Ulster’s opening try, and Robert Baloucoune returned to weave for a try. Cormac Izuchukwu scored with pace in broken field, while James Hume’s well-timed pass set up another try. Zac Ward’s missed tackle and a sloppy knock contributed to Montpellier’s early scoring, and Tom Stewart’s overthrown lineout led to a second try. Despite hard work from multiple forwards and late efforts, Ulster could not contain Montpellier’s momentum.
"Superb last ditch effort stopped a certain Montpellier try just after the restart, and the full-back then took his late consolation try well."
"Thrown straight back in for the first time since the Six Nations, and the Ireland star weaved his magic in trademark fashion for his try."
"The scrum-half started well, his towering box-kick leading to Ulster's opening try, but he couldn't stop Donovan Taofifenua from scoring in the corner."
"Costly overthrown lineout led to Montpellier's second try and while the hooker got through a tireless 76 minute shift, he wasn't at his best."
Read at Irish Independent
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