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Rob Baloucoune back as Ulster name Challenge Cup final team against Montpellier

28 November 2025; Rob Baloucoune of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Benetton at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Robert Baloucoune will play for the 79th time for Ulster

Robert Baloucoune has been passed fit for Ulster's Challenge Cup final against Montpellier on Friday night.

The Ireland winger has not played since the Six Nations clash with Scotland in mid-March when he suffered an arm injury.

However, head coach Richie Murphy, who is without the injured Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Herring and the suspended Iain Henderson, is able to call on the 28-year-old to bolster the attack.

There are four changes to the side that beat Exeter in the semi-finals.

Ireland international flanker Nick Timoney captains the team for the 8pm Irish time kick-off in the Basque Country.

In the front row, Wallaby Angus Bell starts at loosehead prop, with Irish internationals Tom Stewart and Tom O'Toole starting at hooker and tighthead prop.

In the second row, Harry Sheridan and Irish forward Cormac Izuchukwu start.

David McCann is passed fit following a recent knee injury to start at blindside flanker. Timoney starts at openside flanker, while in-form South African Juarno Augustus is named at 8.

Scrum-Half Nathan Doak starts alongside Jack Murphy at out-half.

In the midfield, Jude Postlethwaite joins James Hume in the centre.

Top try-scorer Zac Ward is on the left wing, with Baloucoune starting on the right wing. Michael Lowry retains his place at full-back.

Murphy has opted for a 5:3 bench split, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward the forward replacements.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy form the backline options for the final.

Former Saracens and England number 8 Billy Vunipola captains the Top 14 side.


Ulster: Mike Lowry; Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Tom O'Toole; Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu; Dave McCann, Nick Timoney (capt), Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy.

Montpellier: Tom Banks; Gabriel N'Gandebe, Arthur Vincent, Auguste Cadot, Donovan Taofifenua; Domingo Miotti, Ali Price; Enzo Forletta, Jordan Uelese, Mohamed Haouas; Florian Verhaeghe, Tyler Duguid; Lenni Nouchi, Alex Becognee, Billy Vunipola (capt).

Replacements: Lyam Akrab, Baptiste Erdocio, Wilfrid Hounkpatin, Adam Beard, Marco Tauleigne, Leo Coly, Thomas Darmon, Jon Echegaray.

Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, and email us at sportpodcasts@rte.ie

Follow a live blog of Ulster v Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final (Friday, 8pm) and Leinster v Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup final (Saturday, 2.45pm) on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app.

Listen to live commentary of the Champions Cup final on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

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