The 2025/26 EPCR Challenge Cup reaches its conclusion on Friday the 22nd of May when Montpellier take on Ulster at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Montpellier are looking to cap a dominant Challenge Cup campaign with silverware, while Ulster have produced a superb knockout run to reach the final after narrowly missing out on the URC playoffs.
This preview will be updated with betting moves, team news, weather and suggested bet(s) throughout the week.
Betting - Posted 17 May
Montpellier 3/5
Draw 25/1
Ulster 33/10
Handicap: Montpellier -7.5
ROUTE TO THE FINAL
Montpellier
Montpellier were outstanding throughout the pool phase, topping Pool 1 with a perfect four wins from four matches. They scored 119 points and conceded just 77 while finishing ahead of Zebre Parma, Connacht and Ospreys.
Their knockout run began with a crushing 53-13 victory over Perpignan in the Round of 16, a game in which they scored nine tries and completely overwhelmed their fellow French side.
In the quarter-finals they beat Connacht 45-22 in Montpellier, again showing their attacking depth and forward power. Connacht did create opportunities, but Montpellier simply had too much class and physicality.
The semi-final against Dragons RFC was a much tighter affair than many expected. Montpellier eventually came through 18-12 in a tense contest at the GGL Stadium, relying on defence and discipline after the Welsh side pushed them all the way.
Montpellier have looked the strongest and most balanced side in the competition from the opening round and fully deserve their place in the final.
Ulster
Ulster topped Pool 3 with three wins from four matches, finishing ahead of Stade Français, Exeter Chiefs and Cardiff. They scored 141 points and conceded only 55 during the pool phase, underlining the quality of both their attack and defence.
Their knockout campaign started with a hard-fought 28-24 win over Ospreys in Belfast before producing one of the performances of the quarter-finals in a 41-24 victory over La Rochelle.
The semi-final saw Ulster host Exeter Chiefs at the Affidea Stadium, and they controlled large parts of the game on the way to a 29-12 win. Their pack laid the platform and their defence again stood up under pressure.
Ulster have built momentum nicely through the knockout rounds and arrive in Bilbao as dangerous underdogs.
Early Thoughts
Montpellier have looked like the standout side in the Challenge Cup for most of the season and they will rightly start favourites. Their forward pack has dominated most opponents and they have consistently converted pressure into tries, but the Dragons pushed them hard which will give Ulster fans hope.
Ulster, have been extremely resilient throughout the knockout stages and their defensive structure has improved dramatically. They also have enough attacking quality to trouble Montpellier if they can generate quick ball and stay disciplined. They bowed out of the URC this past weekend but no doubt had one eye on this final.
The handicap around Montpellier -7.5 feels about right at first glance. Montpellier probably deserve favouritism based on the overall body of work, but Ulster have repeatedly shown they are capable of hanging around in big knockout matches.
I will return later in the week with any notable betting moves and a closer look at the points markets.
