Following a 59-26 victory over Ulster in the EPCR Challenge Cup final at San Mames Stadium on Friday, here are the player ratings for Montpellier.
15 Tom Banks: Probably one of the least impressive Montpellier performers. There were mistakes aplenty in the early stages from Banks and, although he was more solid as his side got on top, it wasn’t a great personal display. 5
14 Gabriel N’Gandebe: Showed his speed to finish his try well but N’Gandebe is more than just try-scoring. Showed incredible work ethic throughout and, despite his smaller stature, challenged well under the high ball. 8
13 Arthur Vincent: A fine performance from the France international, who combined well with his midfield partner. Not too many spectacular moments but Vincent always made the right decision, whether with or without the ball. 7
A player to keep an eye on
12 Auguste Cadot: The wider rugby public might not be too familiar with Cadot, but they should be after this. Has enjoyed an outstanding season for Montpellier and displayed why in the Challenge Cup final. Despite not being the biggest, the centre packs a punch in the carry while he also has excellent skills. 8
11 Donovan Taofifenua: Didn’t have too many touches on the ball but he touched down twice with his second particularly world-class. You can’t argue with two tries in a final but he wasn’t quite as prominent as his fellow wing. 6
10 Domingo Miotti: Had an easy ride thanks to the pack and his half-back partner. Plenty to like about what Miotti did, however, as he took the right options and kept his side on the front foot. 7
9 Ali Price: Out of the Scotland reckoning at the moment but Price still showed that he is a classy player. Granted, he had lots of good ball to work with but the 33-year-old was accurate in everything that he did. 8
Brutal back-row
8 Billy Vunipola (c): A mammoth performance from the ex-England international. Vunipola has been outstanding since moving to France and led by example on Friday by carrying hard, making his tackles and showing his ball skills on the gain line with an assist for Lenni Nouchi’s try. 8
7 Alex Becognee: Absolutely everywhere and seemed to get better as the game wore on despite the hot conditions. Becognee was utterly brutal in contact on both sides of the ball in what was a remarkable effort. 9
6 Lenni Nouchi: Has had a breakthrough campaign at Test level, playing four times in the Six Nations, and has continued that outstanding form here. Nouchi was simply magnificent and bullied Ulster, whether that was carrying at close quarters, making big hits or winning lineout ball. 9
Dominant set-piece
5 Tyler Duguid: Superb from the Canadian-born French international, who was effective in all facets with his physicality one of the key reasons why they got the upper hand over Ulster in the showpiece. 8
4 Florian Verhaeghe: Quieter than his lock partner but was still mightily effective, particularly with his work at the lineout and maul, which proved to be a huge weapon for Montpellier. 7
3 Mohamed Haouas: Some question whether he should still be playing professional rugby given his disgraceful off-field actions, but Montpellier have provided an opportunity for the tighthead and he was the cornerstone of that pack with the scrum dominant. 8
2 Jordan Uelese: Set-piece was superb while Uelese was a menace at the breakdown, winning a couple of turnovers for his side. The Australian also carried hard in what was a fine all-round shift. 8
1 Enzo Forletta: Like Haouas, he was superb in the scrum, but there were just a few too many penalties from the loosehead early on to give him a higher mark. 7
Replacements: Quite simply continued the excellent work of the starters. The replacement forwards, which included Wales star Adam Beard, were arguably even more brutal as they consistently sent the Ulster set-piece into reverse. 8