The 2026 EPCR Challenge Cup comes to a close on May 22.
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After eight rounds of play, the Challenge Cup came down to it's final two teams and arguably the best competitors in the field.
Montpellier and Ulster battled it out in Bilbao, Spain with only one goal in mind. That goal is to come home with the Challenge Cup.
The match started extremely fast as Montpellier got its first points in the opening minutes and Ulster was quick to respond. After the five minute mark, it would be fairly quite for the latter half of the opening frame. Scoring would get back underway in the 17th minute and saw Montpellier ahead.
The momentum did not last long though as Ulster cut the lead to two just before the half. Montpellier was quick to repsond and from that point forward, it was all gas and no brakes.
The cup was in Montpelliers hands for a majority of the final half as Ulster could not find a string of scoring momentum, despite having some bright spots like late tries in the 55th and 72nd minute.
At the end of the final whistle, Montpellier walked away with the EPCR Challenge Cup in a 59-26 victory over Ulster.
Donovan Taofifenua was the big player for Montpellier with two tries while Domingo Miotti had five conversions in the match.
For Ulster, the love was shared a sfour different players each had one try. Nathan Doak also had two conversions.
Montpellier ends it's 2026 Challenge Cup campaign going undefeated from pool play until the final.
Recap all of the in-match action down below or watch the replay of the EPCR Challenge Cup Final on demand on FloRugby.
Last Updated: 6:20 PM ET / 5:20 PM CT
Full Time, Montpellier Wins EPCR Challenge Cup! 2nd Half - 80:00
MONT 59, ULS 26
The final whistle blows and Montpellier wins the EPCR Challenge Cup!
The final try comes in the 79th minute of regulation and off the hand of Arthur Vincent.
Ulster Keeps Fighting! 2nd Half - 72:00
MONT 54, ULS 26
With just eight minutes left to go in regulation, Ulster is not going away without a fight.
Mike Lowry scores the try for Ulster. Jake Flannery gets the conversion through the posts.
The Points Keep Coming For Montpellier | 2nd Half - 63:00
MONT 54, ULS 19
Montpellier have basically shut the door for Ulster to respond at this moment in the Challenge Cup Final.
Wilfrid Hounkpatin gets the try and the conversion is good!
Montpellier Scores Again! 2nd Half - 59:00
MONT 47, ULS 19
As the replacements come on for Montpellier, the impact is immediate.
Baptiste Erdocio scores for Montpellier and the conversion is good!
Ulster Breaks The Drought! 2nd Half - 55:00
MONT 40, ULS 19
Ulster has finally broken it's scoring drought.
Baloucoune gets the try to go as he had plenty of space. the conversion from Doak is good!
Montpellier Can't Be Stopped! 2nd Half - 48:00
MONT 40, ULS 12
The foot is on the gas and there is no let up for Montpellier in this Challenge Cup final.
Lenni Nouchi gets the try across after some impressive passes from his teammates. The conversion is good.
Montpellier Score First In The 2nd! 2nd Half - 44:00
MONT 33, ULS 12
Montpellier keeps their offensive momentum rolling from the opening half.
Taofifenua gets hos second try of the day to go and the conversion is good!
Ulster needs to find some momentum here.
Start Of 2nd Half! - 40:00
MONT 26, ULS 12
The second half is underway from Bilbao! Both of the teams are back on the pitch and action in the final half is underway.
Halftime! 1st Half - 40:00
MONT 26, ULS 12
It's halftime in Bilbao!
Montpellier lead 26-12! There is still one half to go and it's anyone's game!
Montpellier Doubles Up! 1st Half - 37:00
MONT 26, ULS 12
With just three minutes to go until the halftime whistle, Montpellier has proven their dominance in this EPCR Challenge Cup final
Alexandre Becognee secures the try to extend the lead to 14 before the half!
Tough Try = Points For Montpellier! 1st Half - 31:00
MONT 21, ULS 12
Montpellier answered back in record time and extends their lead over Ulster.
Billy Vunipola secures the try and the third conversion attempt from Miotti is good.
Ulster Cuts The Lead Late In The 1st! 1st Half - 28:00
MONT 14, ULS 12
In the 28th minute of the opening half, Ulster cuts the Montpellier lead from seven to two.
Cormac Izuchukwu gets the try for Ulster and no one was catching him this time.
Montpellier Takes The Lead! 1st Half - 16:00
MONT 14, ULS 7
Montpellier Herault Rugby has taken a seven point lead in the EPCR Challenge Cup final.
Donovan Taofifenua secures the try and Miotti converts his second conversion.
Montpellier Responds! 1st Half - 5:45
MONT 7, ULS 7
Just two minutes after the opening try, Montpellier has put themselves on the board.
Gabriel Ngandebe pushes his way across the try line. Domingo Miotti converts the conversion. It's all ties up at 7.
Ulster Strikes First! 1st Half - 3:03
MONT 0, ULS 7
Just three minutes in to the Challenge Cup and Ulster has taken an early lead.
Nick Timoney gets the try across the line and the conversion off the foot of Nathan Doak is good!
Kickoff! 1st Half - 00:00
MONT 0, ULS 0
Kickoff is underway for the final round of the Challenge Cup. Get excited Rugby teams, you won't want to miss this action!
10 Minutes To Go & It's All In The Details
Just ten minutes left to go until kickoff in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final. Bilbao, Spain is the place to be and these two clubs are excited to get underway.
the final is here 🏉 pic.twitter.com/OrdzctfaSw
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 22, 2026
Final Arrivals 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/fqWdQLMQU1
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 22, 2026
30 Minutes To Kickoff - The Stadium Is Set
🏟️✅ pic.twitter.com/inHVya1L7c
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 22, 2026
Montpellier Lineup
- Baptiste Erdocio
- Ricky Riccitelli
- Valentin Welsch
- Adam Beard
- Tyler Duguid
- Marco Tauleigne
- Alexandre Becognee
- Lenni Nouchi
- Alexis Bernadet
- Thomas Vincent
- Melvyn Rates
- Lennox Anyanwu
- Auguste Cadot
- Donovan Taofifenua
- Tom Banks
Replacements: 16. Lyam Akrab, 17. Nika Abuladze, 18. Mohamed Haouas, 19. Yacouba Camara, 20. Alexander Masibaka, 21. Tom Baraer, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Thomas Darmon
Ulster Rugby Lineup
- Angus Bell
- Tom Stewart
- Tom O'Toole
- Harry Sheridan
- Cormac Izuchukwu
- David McCann
- Nick Timoney
- Juarno Augustus
- Nathan Doak
- Jack Murphy
- Zac Ward
- Jude Postlethwaite
- James Hume
- Robert Baloucoune
- Mike Lowry
Replacements: 16. James McCormick, 17. Eric O'Sullivan, 18. Scott Wilson, 19. Charlie Irvine, 20. Bryn Ward, 21. Conor McKee, 22. Jake Flannery, 23. Ethan McIlroy
How To Watch Montpellier Vs. Ulster Rugby In The US
Montpellier Vs. Ulster Rugby Kickoff Time
Ulster Rugby face Montpellier at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 22, at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final.
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Saturday, May 23
EPCR Challenge Cup Final
Friday, May 22
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