Rob Baloucoune returns as teams named for Challenge Cup final

Robert Baloucoune has been named in Ulster’s starting line-up for Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Bilbao, providing a major boost to a province already missing four senior players through injury and suspension.

The Ireland winger has not played since suffering an elbow injury during Ireland’s Triple Crown-sealing Six Nations victory over Scotland in March and was initially expected to be sidelined for three months. His quicker-than-expected recovery has been timed to perfection, with head coach Richie Murphy selecting him on the right wing as Ulster bid to end a 20-year wait for silverware at San Mamés Stadium.

Key team news:

• Robert Baloucoune returns from an elbow injury to start on the right wing for the first time since March
• Ulster are without captain Iain Henderson (suspended), Stuart McCloskey (hamstring), Jacob Stockdale (facial fracture) and Rob Herring (calf)
• David McCann has recovered from a knee injury sustained in the semi-final win over Exeter to start at blindside flanker
• Nick Timoney captains Ulster in the absence of Henderson
• Montpellier make just three changes from the side that beat Castres last week, recalling Enzo Forletta, Arthur Vincent and Billy Vunipola
• Four changes to the Ulster side that beat Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in the semi-final

Baloucoune’s return helps offset the considerable losses elsewhere in the squad. Captain Henderson is suspended, centre McCloskey picked up a hamstring injury in the semi-final victory over Exeter Chiefs, winger Stockdale underwent surgery for a facial fracture suffered in the same match, and the experienced hooker Herring is sidelined with a calf problem. Nobody in Ulster’s matchday 23 was part of the squad that reached the 2012 Champions Cup final against Leinster at Twickenham, making this an entirely new experience for the group.

Murphy has made four changes to the side that defeated Exeter 29-12 in Belfast three weeks ago. Baloucoune comes in on the right wing with Zac Ward, who has scored seven tries in his last five games, shifting to the left. Mike Lowry retains the fullback jersey to complete a back three that carries considerable firepower.

In the midfield, Jude Postlethwaite moves from outside to inside centre in McCloskey’s absence, with James Hume coming in at outside centre. The first-choice half-back pairing of Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak are reinstated after starting last weekend’s United Rugby Championship defeat to Glasgow on the bench.

Australian international Angus Bell returns at loosehead prop for what will be his final game for Ulster before returning home at the end of the season. He joins Ireland internationals Tom Stewart and Tom O’Toole in an all-international front row. Harry Sheridan comes in at lock for the suspended Henderson alongside Cormac Izuchukwu, while the fit-again McCann joins stand-in skipper Timoney and the in-form Juarno Augustus in a mobile and impactful back row.

Augustus is the only member of Ulster’s 23 to have previously played in a European final, having featured for Northampton Saints in last season’s Champions Cup showpiece. Murphy has opted for a five-three split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward providing forward cover, and Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy the backline replacements.

Montpellier, two-time Challenge Cup winners in 2016 and 2021, head into the final having made just three changes from the side that beat Castres in the Top 14 last weekend. Head coach Joan Caudullo has recalled Enzo Forletta at loosehead prop, Arthur Vincent at outside centre and former England number eight Billy Vunipola, who captains the side from the back row.

The French club sit second in the Top 14, behind only Toulouse, and have won 15 of their 24 league matches this season. They reached the final with a hard-fought 18-12 semi-final victory over the Dragons at Septeo Stadium, a result that was closer than Montpellier would have liked after Aneurin Owen’s second try left the Welsh region a converted score from pulling off an upset.

Montpellier’s squad features considerable international experience, with former Wallaby fullback Tom Banks at the back, Scotland scrum-half Ali Price directing operations from the base, and the powerful Vunipola anchoring the pack. Welsh lock Adam Beard provides second-row cover from the bench.

This is Ulster’s first appearance in a Challenge Cup final and their first European final since 2012. The province’s last piece of silverware was the 2006 Celtic League, while their sole continental triumph remains the 1999 European Cup. A victory on Friday would also secure their place in next season’s Champions Cup, adding further significance to the occasion after they missed out on the URC play-offs by finishing ninth.

The match kicks off at 9pm local time in Bilbao, where an early-summer heatwave means temperatures are expected to still be in the high 20s come game time, presenting a considerable challenge for both sets of players.

Ulster: 15. Mike Lowry, 14. Robert Baloucoune, 13. James Hume, 12. Jude Postlethwaite, 11. Zac Ward, 10. Jack Murphy, 9. Nathan Doak, 1. Angus Bell, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. Harry Sheridan, 5. Cormac Izuchukwu, 6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney (captain), 8. Juarno Augustus.
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.

Montpellier: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Gabriel N’Gandebe, 13. Arthur Vincent, 12. Auguste Cadot, 11. Donovan Taofifenua, 10. Domingo Miotti, 9. Ali Price, 1. Enzo Forletta, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Mohamed Haouas, 4. Florian Verhaeghe, 5. Tyler Duguid, 6. Lenni Nouchi, 7. Alex Becognee, 8. Billy Vunipola (captain).
Replacements: 16. Lyam Akrab, 17. Baptiste Erdocio, 18. Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 19. Adam Beard, 20. Marco Tauleigne, 21. Leo Coly, 22. Thomas Darmon, 23. Jon Echegaray.

Match details: Montpellier v Ulster, San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao. Friday 22 May, 8pm BST / 9pm local time. Referee: Matthew Carley (England). TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland).