It's all on the line this week as Ulster aim for a European trophy and qualification for the EPCR Champions Cup.
A victory would see Ulster qualify after the province finished 9th in the BKT United Rugby Championship, following a dramatic finish that saw the squad compete on two fronts.
Since Richie Murphy's side booked their place in the Challenge Cup Final after a historical semi-final victory against Exeter Chiefs, the province have went toe-to-toe with the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors in the URC, scoring ten tries over the two clashes.
Now the focus switches to this Friday, with Ulster hoping to take their exciting brand of attacking rugby into a Final against a quality opponent.
The French side already know what it takes to claim the Challenge Cup, having won the competition on two occasions, while Bilbao’s final will be Ulster’s first taste of a Challenge Cup final.
Match Details
🤝 Montpellier Hérault Rugby v Ulster Rugby
🗓 Friday 22nd May 2026, Kick Off 8pm (9pm local time)
🏟 Affidea Stadium
🏆 EPCR Challenge Cup Final 2026
📺 Live on ITV4/ ITVX, Premier Sports
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy) and Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
The Opposition
Like Ulster, a recurring theme of Montpellier’s campaign this year has been their prowess going forward.
The French side boast the competition’s most tries (36), along with 878 carries thanks to their well-oiled moves to break down the opposition line.
Their pack has been impressive too this term, with the tournament’s highest line-out success rate (92%). Back-rower Lenni Nouchi and second-rower Florian Verhaeghe are just some of the side’s talents who have been reliable throughout their run to the final.
The French side are flying high in the Top 14, sitting in second position behind leaders Toulouse.
With 15 wins from 24 domestically, and a European Cup Final to look forward to, Joan Caudillo's side are going in with confidence.
Ulster's Challenge Cup Journey in stats
Points Scored: 239 points (2nd)
Tries Scored: 31 (4th)
Carries: 777 (5th)
Defenders Beaten: 166 (2nd)
Clean Breaks: 55 (4th)
Turnovers Won: 41 (4th)
Passes: 884 (5th)
Players to Watch
Adam Beard:
Adam Beard is a towering second-row forward who joined Montpellier Hérault Rugby last summer, after more than a decade with the Ospreys in Wales. Standing at 2.03m and weighing around 120kg, the 65 times capped Welsh international has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable lineout operators and defensive locks.
Billy Vunipola:
Billy Vunipola is a powerful number eight whose blend of size, handling skill and ball-carrying has made him one of the most influential forwards of his generation.
A former England international capped 75 times and a British & Irish Lion, Vunipola had a glittering eleven year career with Saracens, where he played a central role in multiple Premiership and European Champions Cup triumphs.
The 33-year-old joined Montpellier in 2024 and has brought his experience and leadership to the team, taking up the captaincy showing his influence in the French side.
Ali Price:
Ali Price is an experienced Scottish international scrum-half known for his sharp game management and attacking instinct around the breakdown. Capped 68 times for the Scottish national team, Price made his name with Glasgow Warriors from 2014-2023, before he joined Edinburgh Rugby. He has been one of the stand out scrum-halves in the URC and joined the French Top 14 side last summer.
