Sobering Ulster Player Ratings after Challenge Cup Final hammering
After a promising start, Ulster weren’t able to contain the firepower as Montpellier ran out 59-26 winners in the Challenge Cup Final in Bilbao.
The Irish side made a pulsating start as captain Nick Timoney crossed over after five minutes, after Juarno Augustus made a break from a Doak box kick. However, Montpellier replied straight away as Gabriel N’Gandebe dived over in the corner.
The French side would take the lead soon after as Donovan Taoififenua capitalised on Ulster making a mistake after calling for a two-man lineout, which backfired heavily.
Nick Timoney of Ulster, centre, celebrates with teammates Cormac Izuchukwu, left, and Tom O’Toole after scoring their side’s first try. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The game then fell into a lull, but Ulster burst back into life as James Hume slipped Cormac Izuchukwu into a lovely gap, and the second row showed a great burst of acceleration to score a great try in the corner. However, that joy didn’t last long as once again Montpellier scored straight away, this time through Billy Vunipola.
But the killer score came just before halftime as Alex Becognee scored off the back of a rolling maul to put the French 26-12 up at the break. And if they needed to make sure of it, Montpellier prevented any early second-half comeback as Taoififenua made an acrobatic finish to score his second, Montpellier’s fifth try. Lenni Nouchi scored soon after as the floodgates began to open.
Rob Baloucoune scored a consolation, but three tries for Montpellier from Baptiste Erdocio, Wilfrid Houbkpatin and Arthur Vincent secured the French side their third Challenge Cup title.
Michael Lowry. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Michael Lowry- 6
Got Ulster out of danger on a couple of occasions.
Rob Baloucoune- 7
Was a nuisance in the air all night, took his try very well.
James Hume- 5
Some lovely hands and footwork at points, but ultimately wasn’t enough.
Jude Postelthwaite- 5
Looked like he was playing through the pain barrier, there’s more to come from this kid.
Jude Postlethwaite and teammates after conceding a try. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Zac Ward- 5
Nervy start and only slightly got better. Ulster struggled to get it to width all game.
Jack Murphy- 4
Was great while Ulster were in it, always difficult to turn a ship around.
Nathan Doak- 5
Doak did what he could to marshal around the park, kicked solid as well.
Angus Bell- 3
Another one who failed to make an impact, those scrum pens were killers.
Tom Stewart- 4
Got caught out wide a couple of times aerially. Only lineout error was a costly one.
Tom O’Toole- 3
Lost the scrum battle heavily, which proved costly in the second half.
Harry Sheridan- 6
Arguably Ulster’s best player on the night, Sheridan made some huge collisions and was unfortunate not to get a try.
Cormac Izuchukwu- 6
A highlight reel try for the ages, Izuchukwu also left it all out there.
Cormac Izuchukwu of Ulster scores. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
David McCann- 3
Never made an impact, rough day in the office.
Nick Timoney (c)- 5
Captain on the night, and led by example in the early stages, but couldn’t continue it on.
Juarno Augustus- 6
One of the few players that didn’t disappoint, Augustus made some big impacts.
Substitutes- 4
Always tough to chase a losing cause, and when Montpellier can bring on Lions off the bench, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the Ulster replacements.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Coach- 5
With what he had at his disposal, Richie Murphy couldn’t really had done much better.
After what was a sensational start to the season, it must be extremely frustrating for Murphy to see his side finish with the same result as last season, trophyless and no Champions Cup rugby.
