Challenge Cup final: Ulster’s silverware drought continues after heavy 59–26 defeat by Montpellier

Rob Baloucoune recovered from injury to return for Ulster, but they were well beaten by Montpellier in Bilbao

Ulster missed out on the chance to lift silverware for the first time in 20 years as they were blown away 59-26 by Montpellier in Friday's Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.

The Irish province were seeking a title for the first time since their 2006 Celtic League triumph, but despite a perfect start at San Mames to lead after three minutes, they were totally outclassed on the night.

Montpellier scored nine tries through wings Gabriel N'Gandebe and Donovan Taofifenua (two), flankers Alex Becognee and Lenni Nouchi, replacement props Baptiste Erdocio and Wilfrid Hounkpatin, centre Arthur Vincent and No 8 Billy Vunipola - the former England man captaining the French side to success.

Ulster scored three tries through flanker Nick Timoney, lock Cormac Izuchukwu, wing Robert Baloucoune and full-back Mike Lowry, but defeat for them also means they will miss out on Champions Cup rugby for the second successive season, having finished ninth in the URC.

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Ulster made an ideal start to the final as Timoney scored after prolonged attack in the Montpellier 22 - a speculative, high-hanging Nathan Doak box-kick spilled backwards by Tom Banks and latched upon by No 8 Juarno Augustus to create the chance.

Nick Timoney gave Ulster the perfect start with a try in just the third minute

Doak converted for 7-0 but Montpellier responded in less than three minutes as superb play from the halfway line saw centre Auguste Cadot released, and he offloaded for N'Gandebe to finish in the corner.

Miotti struck a beauty of touchline conversion to level up the final, while Ulster's Balcoucoune then showed his athleticism to get up and claim the restart. Doak grubber-kicked ahead, Banks knocked on and then gave away a holding penalty, seeing Ulster kick into the corner.

A huge chance for the Irish province to move back in front was squandered though as lock Harry Sheridan charged for and over the line, only to spill the ball in-goal while on his way down to ground for a try.

With the score at 7-7 in the first half, Ulster lock Harry Sheridan spilled the ball in-goal as he looked to score

In the 16th minute, Montpellier struck where Ulster hadn't as Taofifenua finished after receiving a laser of a Miotti cut-out pass - the chance to attack in the Ulster 22 had come about through hooker Tom Stewart overthrowing a defensive lineout (after Miotti had pinned Ulster in with a beauty of a tactical kick).

The Argentine converted again for a 14-7 lead, but Taofifenua then knocked on a high ball just outside his own 22 to present Ulster a good chance in response.

The men in white couldn't take it, however, as oppressive Montpellier defence pushed them back repeatedly, before Vunipola jackalled over a loose ball to earn a penalty.

In the 28th minute, Ulster were level as Izuchukwu scored a try of supreme quality, demonstrating all his pace and athleticism to sprint in from over 40 metres out.

Cormac Izuchukwu scored a marvellously try as Ulster narrowed to within two points in the first half, but they were blown away thereafter

Doak's wide out conversion drifted wide to leave Montpellier narrowly ahead 14-12, and the French side once again responded quickly; more nice hands through the backs almost seeing Banks in for a try, before Vunipola showed power to get over for their third - Miotti converting for a nine-point lead.

That advantage was 14 points before half-time when Becognee picked and dived over after a Montpellier driving maul had done major damage within the Ulster 22 - Miotti failing to add the extras this time.

It was all Montpellier at the start of the second half, with only a desperate dive to claim a loose ball by James Hume denying N'Gandebe his second, sliding back over the try-line.

Gabriel Ngandebe scored Montpellier's first on the night, as their backline and heavy forwards tore Ulster apart

The French outfit hadn't to wait long, though, as from the resulting five-metre scrum patient play gave way to a stunning Taofifenua finish in the corner. Miotti converting magnificently too for a score of 33-12.

Moments later, Montpellier had their sixth try when Nouchi charged through on a line to finish strongly as Ulster heads dropped further.

When Miotti converted, Montpellier had reached 40 points by the 50th minute.

Six minutes later, Balcoucoune displayed his immense talent with a fabulously taken try past three defenders, but Montpellier notched their seventh when a rolling maul tore through Ulster and Erdocio scored at the base.

Replacement tighthead Hounkpatin took Montpellier beyond 50 points when he picked and crashed over after Nouchi had carried ferociously just prior, before Lowry sped over in the corner for a further Ulster consolation score.

Indeed, that try did little to lift Ulster moods when Vincent scored down the other end to take Montpellier to the cusp of 60 points.