Montpellier player ratings vs Ulster | 2026 Challenge Cup Final

Montpellier player ratings: Montpellier secured their third Challenge Cup title with a commanding 59–26 win against Ulster at San Mamés, adding the 2026 trophy to their trophy cabinet after claiming the 2016 and 2021 editions.

Fuelled by the presence of Billy Vunipola and Lenni Nouchi, Montpellier seized the momentum after the 15-minute mark, imposing themselves through set-piece dominance and behemoth physicality.

1. Enzo Forletta – 7
Reliable as a set-piece operator, the 2-time French international was up for the task at hand, clinching 13 successful tackle attempts and battling his way through the Ulster line of defence.

2. Jordan Uelese – 8.5
Who said that you can only make an impact by scoring tries? Jordan Uelese’s input on defence ended up playing a huge role in Montpellier’s success, securing two jackals and a try-saving tackle that denied Harry Sheridan from grounding the ball.

3. Mohamed Haouas – 7
Conceded a light penalty in a scrum, but, overall, had a more than positive outing in Bilbao, dominating in the set-piece.

4. Florian Verhaghe – 7
Florian Verhaghe drove the Ulster lineout insane, as the French international claimed two steals in the air, getting the best from the Irish side’s jumping pods. Didn’t need to excel to help Montpellier snatch a third Challenge Cup.

5. Tyler Duguid – 7
Had the same impact as his lock pairing partner, working well to entangle Ulster’s lineout, allowing Montpellier to dominate in that department throughout the match clearly.

6. Lenni Nouchi – 8.5
There aren’t many players with Lenni Nouchi’s work-rate, as the talented back-rower was heavily involved in Montpellier’s title win, fetching Ulster’s prime speedster left and right, while piledriving the opposition when the ball was sent his way. Even if he did miss a few tackles in the opening 10 minutes, Nouchi’s hunger to help deliver another glorious night to Montpellier was crucial to the outcome, landing 17 tackles, two turnovers and a well-deserved try.

7. Alexandre Bécognée – 8
The Montpellier centurion had a stellar night at Bilbao’s San Mamés. The 29-year-old was monstrous in every department, snatching two turnovers at the breakdown to Ulster’s dismay. The flanker bagged his side’s 4th try, delivering the blow from the back of an unstoppable driving maul, the cherry on the top of a superb performance.

8. Billy Vunipola – 9
When Montpellier most needed, Billy Vunipola showed up and put out a stellar performance that culminated with the French side lifting the 2026 Challenge Cup. The England international was one of Montpellier’s main ball carriers, gnawing and draining the Irish opposition that rarely countered the no.8’s physicality—landed a try, assisting for another, looking like the old Billy Vunipola that ruled Europe in the 2010s.

9. Ali Price – 8
Instrumental in putting down Ulster after the Irish side’s strong opening 20 minutes, Ali Price’s experience and expertise were pivotal for Montpellier to take complete control of the game’s operations. The scrum-half was adamant in demanding that his side look for attacking options out wide, accelerating phases at the right time to take advantage of Ulster’s fatigue.

10. Domingo Miotti – 8.5
The Pumas maestro played his tune and the Ulster opposition fell into it. Miotti was absolutely class from kick-off, painting a vibrant offensive canvas that ultimately tore down the Irish opposition’s defence. Assisted with two of his side’s finishes and added 10 points from the tee before being subbed off at the 55th minute mark.

11. Donovan Taofifenua – 8.5
Clinical, efficient and deadly, Donovan Taofifenua didn’t need too many chances to make it pay off, as the exhilarating winger only needed four carries to land two tries in the corner.

12. Auguste Cadot – 8
Colossal effort from Auguste Cadot with the inside centre clearly ruling over the opposite centre pairing, creating havoc and spreading panic when he got the ball out wide and with space. Scored a try, clinched 50 running metres, added a line break and five defenders beaten, fostered two opposition handling mistakes and completed nine successful tackles.

13. Arthur Vincent – 8.5
Despite not having had the chance to show his prowess as a runner, Arthur Vincent’s defensive exploits were key to destabilising Ulster’s attacking platform, securing 15 tackles in 80 minutes. The Les Bleus international added a staunch physicality in his way to boss Ulster around, linking up well with his wingers.

14. Gabriel Ngandebe – 7
As Taofifenua, Gabriel Ngandebe bagged a five-pointer while only completing five carries, making it count when his team relied on him to deliver—he got a good hold of Zac Ward, stopping the Irish wing on his tracks.

15. Tom Banks – 6
Banks ended with the short end of the stick, as the former Australian fullback wasn’t able to showcase his best in Bilbao. Punted a kick on the full, conceded two knock-ons and seemed not in the same tune as his teammates.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Lyam Akrab – 7
Kept a tidy lineout and showed good involvement in Montpellier’s tactics.

17. Baptiste Erdocio – 7.5
Was subbed in at the 57th minute and collected a finish one minute after, a dream entrance for the fierce Les Bleus international

18. Wilfrid Hounkpatin – 7
Like his replacement prop partner, bagged a try and was monumental in the scrum, clinching two penalties that kept Ulster locked in their 22.

19. Adam Beard – 6.5
Came in and immediately was penalised for a ruck infringement. But eventually came knocking back, helping Montpellier keep its set-piece dominance.

20. Marco Tauleigne – 6
A handful of powerful tackles and a single carry in an eventless night for the back rower.

21. Léo Coly – 7.5
Ruthless from the second he was called to sub Miotti, Coly needled the Ulster defence to the wall, creating several great passages of play to help Montpellier land a 59-26 victory.

22. Thomas Darmon – 6
Did his job well.

23. Jon Echegaray – 6.5
Made an assist for Arthur Vincent’s try in his only involvement with the oval ball.