Vunipola guides Montpellier past Ulster to Challenge Cup triumph

Former England No 8 Billy Vunipola was instrumental as Montpellier trounced Ulster 59-26 on Friday in Bilbao, Spain, to win the Challenge Cup for a third time.

Captain Vunipola scored one of nine tries for the French side as they repeated their feats of 2016 and 2021.

Vunipola, 33, joined Montpellier two years ago from Saracens having retired from test rugby in 2023.

"We played in the right areas. Every time we got in their 22 we asked them questions and that's what we needed to do," Vunipola told Premier Sports.

"Montpellier has given me a new lease of life. It's been a great challenge, I've enjoyed it," the 75-time international added.

Despite leading after just five minutes at a humid San Mames, the Irish province were unable to claim their first title since 2006's Celtic League success and missed out on qualification for next season's Champions Cup with defeat.

🤩 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐇É𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄 🤩

MHR lift the EPCR #ChallengeCupRugby trophy for a third time, beating Ulster Rugby 59-26 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3ISyVEZzz3 — EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 22, 2026

"I thought we started well going 7-0 up," Ulster coach Richie Murphy told Premier Sports.

"It was really difficult to play in the heat, it caused a lot of slippy ball.

"We're a young side, we'll learn from this and move on. I can't fault the effort," he added.

Montpellier, flying high in the French Top 14, named a full-strength side with experienced test players like 33-year-old Vunipola in the back-row, Scotland's Ali Price at scrum-half and Australia’s Tom Banks at full-back.

Ulster were without the influential trio of lock Iain Henderson, centre Stuart McCloskey and winger Jacob Stockdale as they eyed a first continental crown since lifting the Champions Cup in 1999.

Montpellier led 14-12 after a tight opening half an hour, Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu with the pick of the tries after a 40m solo run.

The French club, owned by Syrian-born French billionaire Mohed Altrad, then put one hand on the trophy just before the break as Vunipola crashed over for his try and fellow back-rower Alexandre Becognee also scored from a pick-and-go to make it 26-12 at halftime.

They then secured the title with five second-half tries as Vunipola turned the provider for flanker Lenni Nouchi in a dominant performance for their forward pack after winger Donovan Taofifenua had claimed his second of proceedings.