Montpellier clinches third Challenge Cup title with dominant win over Ulster

Montpellier beat Ulster 59‑26 in the Challenge Cup final at Bilbao, securing the French club’s third European trophy. The match was close in the first half, with Montpellier leading 4 tries to 2, but the visitors ran in five more tries after the break to pull away. Key moments included a line‑out error by Ulster at 15 minutes, a quick double try by Lenni Nouchi and Domingo Miotti at 49 minutes, and a late replacement‑prop try by Baptiste Erdoçio.

The victory follows Montpellier’s earlier successes in 2016 and 2021. Coach Joan Caudullo warned that the win is a step toward their domestic Top 14 goals; the team sits second in the league and aims to secure a place in the final stages and finish the season in the top two. After the European triumph, Montpellier will face Pau at the Septeo Stadium, with the squad managing workload and recovery to maintain momentum in the national competition.