Ulster suffered a heavy defeat to Montpellier at San Mamés Stadium, where Montpellier’s firepower and accuracy proved too strong. Montpellier scored nine tries, including four in the opening half, when Ulster trailed 26-12. Ulster managed four touchdowns, but Montpellier’s pressure and attacking efficiency overwhelmed them. Robert Baloucoune returned sharply, scoring a try and creating another, and Ulster also scored through Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, and Michael Lowry. Montpellier’s maul and scrum dominated, limiting Ulster’s ability to generate effective wide attacks. Ulster’s season ended in Bilbao, with the silverware drought continuing. Hot conditions around the stadium added to the atmosphere as crowds gathered and temperatures rose.
"In all the French scored nine tries, four in an opening half which saw Ulster trail 26-12 and, though Richie Murphy's men scored four touchdowns of their own, the combination of French firepower combined with the intensity of the pressure the province were put under was just too much."
"It was a real shame that, despite tries from Baloucoune, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney and Michael Lowry, there was simply no living with Montpellier once they began to rumble - their maul and scrum dominating - or throw some subtle shapes out wide."
"And so, Ulster's season ends in Bilbao and the silverware drought continues. They did have moments, starting well, and though Harry Sheridan lost the ball in the act of scoring soon afterwards it would hardly have halted the Montpellier juggernaut."
"From the early afternoon the noise in the vicinity of the stadium had been steadily building as the fans' zone in a green area near the river began to fill up with expectant crowds, each wearing the colours of their team with the blue and burgundy of Leinster and Bordeaux sprinkled about as well."
Read at Irish Independent
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