Like Ulster, Montpellier find themselves going into the fixture on the back of mixed form, with both teams having lost their past two fixtures.
Ulster showed promising signs in their BKT United Rugby Championship 13-7 defeat against DHL Stormers in Cape Town, with a late try and two penalties making the difference at DHL Stadium
Montpellier head into the fixture on the back of a narrow 10-12 defeat to French rivals and Top 14 leaders, Stade Francais. The performance was much improved after the previous week, where the French outfit were beaten 54-7 by Toulon.
Patrice Collazo's side have had a strong Challenge Cup campaign so far, finishing 2nd in their group after three wins from four rounds. The European campaign has offered the club a welcome distraction from their domestic form, as they sit in 13th position of the Top 14, with 12 losses and 8 wins from the opening 20 matches.
Match details
🏟️ GGL Stadium
📅 Sunday 7 April
🕰️ 12.30pm UK/Ire time / 1.30pm local
🏆 EPCR Challenge Cup, Round of 16
📺 Viaplay Sports
Last Time Out
Ulster last visited Montpellier in October 2013 in the then Heineken Champions Cup. Ulster put in a very impressive away performance, winning 8-25 and becoming the first side to win at Montpellier's home ground in the Champions Cup.
Ulster fans might remember a fantastic try from Andrew Trimble, that involved some superb attacking play from Jared Payne and Tommy Bowe.
Players to watch
Jan Serfontein -
Wearing the Hérault jersey since 2017, Jan Serfontein has played more than 100 matches in Montpellier colours, scoring 20 tries and establishing himself as one of the key players in the MHR squad. He notably won the Challenge Cup in 2021 and the Brennus Shield in 2022. The centre is a Springbok international with 35 caps.
Paul Willemse -
Playing as a second row, he started rugby at Tsumeb in the Republic of Namibia. The South African born French international made his debut in the big leagues playing with the Golden Lions in 2012, the year in which he won the Under-20 World Cup with South Africa, alongside Jan Serfontein. In 2013, he joined the Blue Bulls before discovering the Top 14 with FC Grenoble Rugby. He joined the MHR in 2015, where he became an essential part of the pack. In 2019, he was selected by Jacques Brunel to play in the 2019 6 Nations Tournament with the French XV and has now made more than fifteen appearances with the blue jersey. Willemse is the top carrier for his side in the Challenge Cup this season, with 38 carries made.
Sam Simmonds -
Sam Simmonds is an English international number 8 (19 caps) trained at the Exeter academy. He also wore the British Lions jersey in 2021. After a spell at Plymouth Albion and the Cornish Pirates, he joined the Exeter Chiefs first team where he quickly became an essential cog. This explosive and powerful player established himself in Devon as one of the best number 8s in England, winning the national championship in 2017 and 2020 and the Champions Cup in 2020. With serious finishing qualities, he scored 82 tries in 122 games under the colours of the Chiefs. Simmonds has made 156 metres for his side and has made 33 tackles in the competition.