Fit-again Baloucoune starts for Ulster in final
Murphy has opted for a split of five-three split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward providing forwards cover and Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy as the backline replacements. Ulster's last piece of silverware came in the 2006 Celtic League (now the URC) while the 1999 European Cup remains their sole continental triumph. Two-time Challenge Cup winners Montpellier, who are second in France's Top 14, are captained by former England number eight Billy Vunipola.
Listen on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster; Build-up and live text on BBC Sport app & website Montpellier: T Banks; G Ngandebe, A Vincent, A Cadot, D Taofifenua; D Miotti, A Price; E Forletta, J Uelese, M Haouas, F Verhaeghe, T Duguid, L Nouchi, A Becognee, B Vunipola (capt). Replacements: L Akrab, B Erdocio, W Hounkpatin, A Beard, M Tauleigne, L Coly, T Darmon, J Echegaray. Ulster: M Lowry; R Baloucoune, J Hume, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward; J Murphy, N Doak; A Bell, T Stewart, T O'Toole, H Sheridan, C Izuchukwu, D McCann, N Timoney (captain), J Augustus.
Replacements: J McCormick, E O'Sullivan, S Wilson, C Irvine, B Ward, C McKee, J Flannery, E McIlroy. How missing Ulster quartet can still play a role in final 'Special time, special team' - Ulster's last trophy winners Ulster needed some good news on the squad front after losing the experience and Test-level quality of McCloskey, Stockdale, Henderson and Herring. Thankfully for Murphy, Baloucoune's quicker-than-expected recovery has been timed perfectly and he should provide a serious injection of pace and power into Ulster's attack on Friday.
Baloucoune has been superb this season. Even before his performances for Ireland that secured him the Six Nations 'rising player' award at the age of 28, he had been making up for lost time in the Ulster shirt having been restricted to two appearances during an injury-ravaged 2024-25 campaign. With Ward - who has seven tries in his last five games - on the opposite wing and live-wire full-back Lowry completing the back three, Ulster will take to pitch at San Mames Stadium with no shortage of firepower.
Of course, the absence of Werner Kok may raise eyebrows. A hugely popular figure, the South African winger's omission means he has played his last game for Ulster as he is set to depart at the end of the season. But the return of McCann should not be downplayed, either.