Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Baloucoune has been sidelined since the Six Nations with an elbow injury
ByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalist- Published58 minutes ago
Ulster have been handed a major boost as winger Robert Baloucoune is fit enough to start Friday's European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Bilbao.
Baloucoune was expected to be sidelined for three months after picking up an elbow injury in Ireland's Triple Crown-sealing Six Nations win over Scotland in March.
But having returned to training ahead of schedule, the 28-year-old has been selected on the right wing by head coach Richie Murphy as Ulster bid to end a 20-year wait for silverware.
Baloucoune, who has scored six tries in seven games for Ulster this season, joins Mike Lowry and leading try-scorer Zac Ward in the back three, with Jacob Stockdale having already been ruled out.
In Stuart McCloskey's absence, Jude Postlethwaite partners James Hume in midfield, while the first-choice half-back pairing of Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak are reinstated after starting last week's United Rugby Championship loss to Glasgow on the bench.
In the pack, Angus Bell returns at loose-head prop for his Ulster swansong before returning to Australia, with Tom O'Toole at tight-head. A calf problem for vastly experienced hooker Rob Herring means Tom Stewart completes the front row.
Without suspended captain Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan partners Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row, while flanker David McCann has returned to fitness to start alongside stand-in skipper Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus in the back row.
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.
Montpellier v Ulster
Challenge Cup final
Friday, 22 May at 20:00 BST
Listen on SoundsListen on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster; Build-up and live text on BBC Sport app & website
Line-ups
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.
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Baloucoune return helps offset loss of experience
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. The 25-year-old has been outstanding all season and was at risk of missing out after picking up a knock in the semi-final win over Exeter.
