Montpellier 59 – 26 Ulster

Ulster suffer heavy Challenge Cup final defeat to Montpellier in Bilbao; French side score nine tries: Gabriel N’Gandebe, Donovan Taofifenua (two), Alex Becognee, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Erdocio, Wilfrid Hounkpatin, Arthur Vincent, Billy Vunipola; Ulster miss out on first trophy since 2006

Ulster missed out on the chance to lift silverware for the first time in 20 years as they were blown away 59-26 by Montpellier in Friday’s Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.

The Irish province were seeking a title for the first time since their 2006 Celtic League triumph, but despite a perfect start at San Mames to lead after three minutes, they were totally outclassed on the night.

Montpellier scored nine tries through wings Gabriel N’Gandebe and Donovan Taofifenua (two), flankers Alex Becognee and Lenni Nouchi, replacement props Baptiste Erdocio and Wilfrid Hounkpatin, centre Arthur Vincent and No 8 Billy Vunipola – the former England man captaining the French side to success.

Ulster scored three tries through flanker Nick Timoney, lock Cormac Izuchukwu, wing Robert Baloucoune and full-back Mike Lowry, but defeat for them also means they will miss out on Champions Cup rugby for the second successive season, having finished ninth in the URC.

Ulster made an ideal start to the final as Timoney scored after prolonged attack in the Montpellier 22 – a speculative, high-hanging Nathan Doak box-kick spilled backwards by Tom Banks and latched upon by No 8 Juarno Augustus to create the chance.

The French outfit hadn’t to wait long, though, as from the resulting five-metre scrum patient play gave way to a stunning Taofifenua finish in the corner. Miotti converting magnificently too for a score of 33-12.

Moments later, Montpellier had their sixth try when Nouchi charged through on a line to finish strongly as Ulster heads dropped further.

When Miotti converted, Montpellier had reached 40 points by the 50th minute.

Six minutes later, Balcoucoune displayed his immense talent with a fabulously taken try past three defenders, but Montpellier notched their seventh when a rolling maul tore through Ulster and Erdocio scored at the base.

Replacement tighthead Hounkpatin took Montpellier beyond 50 points when he picked and crashed over after Nouchi had carried ferociously just prior, before Lowry sped over in the corner for a further Ulster consolation score.

Indeed, that try did little to lift Ulster moods when Vincent scored down the other end to take Montpellier to the cusp of 60 points.