Ulster pip Montpellier in our combined Challenge Cup final XV

Ahead of the EPCR Challenge Cup final in Bilbao, we’ve put together a combined Ulster–Montpellier XV that leans heavily on form, momentum and influence across the season. It throws up a few tight calls, particularly in the back five and backline, where both sides have genuine depth.

It’s very much Ulster’s young bloods versus a slightly more weathered Montpellier. While some selections are clear-cut, others go right down to the wire in shaping a best-of-both matchday side.

Ulster take it, 8 to 7, but some of these selections were really 50:50s.

1. Angus Bell
Angus Bell beats out Enzo Forletta, with the Wallaby’s dynamism and higher ceiling preferred, even if Forletta has been a dependable cornerstone of Montpellier’s scrum all season.

2. Tom Stewart
Very close. Tom Stewart gets the nod over Jordan Uelese, youth winning over experience here, as Stewart’s sharp set-piece work edges it despite his drop in the Irish pecking order not being through any fault of his own.

3. Mohamed Haouas
Tom O’Toole had a fine, fine season, but Mohamed Haouas just about edges this one, his raw scrummaging power proving decisive, even if he remains a controversial figure off the field and sometimes on it.

4. Florian Verhaeghe
The 6’8 Florian Verhaeghe has been a go-to for Montpellier all season and gets the nod over Harry Sheridan, who is ostensibly selected due to Iain Henderson’s ban, even if Sheridan’s potential makes this closer than it might first appear.

5. Cormac Izuchukwu
Cormac Izuchukwu takes the tighthead lock slot over Tyler DuGuid after a huge season that saw him return to Ireland duty, even if injury has reared its head again late in the campaign.

6. Lenni Nouchi
Lenni Nouchi gets in ahead of Dave McCann, with his excellent domestic form in the Top 14 and emergence with France giving him the edge over the Ulsterman’s honest season.

7. Nick Timoney
Nick Timoney wins this comfortably over Alex Becognee, it’s not a particularly close call given his breakout Ireland season built on outstanding form for Ulster in the URC and Europe.

8. Billy Vunipola
Juarno Augustus runs Billy Vunipola incredibly close, but Vunipola just gets it, the former England No.8 a huge figure for Montpellier this season even if Augustus has also been excellent.

9. Nathan Doak
Nathan Doak edges Ali Price, with the young Turk just about getting the nod over the 33-year-old British & Irish Lion, even if Price’s experience keeps it tremendously close, Doak’s excellent form this season saw him win a long-overdue first cap for Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations.

10. Domingo Miotti
Argentine Domingo Miotti has been one of the first names on the team sheet this season and claims the 10 shirt ahead of Jack Murphy, with Murphy just a little too green at this stage despite showing promise for Ulster. His form has largely pushed disgraced Scotland star Stuart Hogg into the background for Montpellier.

11. Zac Ward
Zac Ward is a shoo-in over Donovan Taofifenua, his 15 tries this season comfortably beating Taofifenua’s four for Montpellier.

12. Jude Postlethwaite
Jude Postlethwaite edges Auguste Cadot, forcing his way into Ireland’s squad off the back of a physical season that stands out more than Cadot’s steady contributions.

13. Arthur Vincent
Arthur Vincent gets in ahead of James Hume, his international class and attacking threat giving him the edge, even with Hume putting together a very strong Ulster season, starting all of Ulster’s games in Europe and 100 per cent of the games he’s played in.

14. Robert Baloucoune
Robert Baloucoune is picked over Gabriel N’Gandebe for his immense form for Ulster and Ireland this year, even if injury once again struck during his campaign. If he can stay fit – a big enough ‘if’ to be fair – he’ll be a regular Test feature.

15. Tom Banks
Tom Banks edges Mike Lowry, with the ex-Wallaby’s 24 starts for Bernard Laporte’s outfit this season giving him the nod over Lowry, who has been solid but still in search of the electric form that saw him win a cap in 2022. Again, very close.