Ulster travel to Bilbao on Friday for the Challenge Cup final against French heavyweights Montpellier. A win would snap a twenty‑year silverware drought since the dramatic 2006 Celtic League triumph, when David Humphreys' last‑second drop goal clinched the title. The province’s 2023‑24 campaign, which fell just short of United Rugby Championship playoffs, now hinges on that single match. Supporters will fill San Mamés.

Former winger Tommy Bowe recalled the 2006 side as “special”, urging the current group to recreate those memories. Veteran lock Justin Harrison, speaking at the 20th‑anniversary reunion, stressed the province’s proud identity and the importance of buying into it. Scrum‑half Andrew Trimble noted the squad’s new “characters” and belief that they can out‑run Montpellier’s firepower. Their resilience mirrors the grit shown in that 2006 finale.

A victory would not only deliver a long‑awaited trophy but also secure Ulster’s place in next season’s Champions Cup, restoring European relevance. Montpellier, two‑time Challenge Cup winners and second in the Top 14, enter as favourites, yet the Belfast‑bred side believes its blend of experience and youthful energy can deliver. The final promises a decisive chapter in Ulster’s modern era fans will finally breathe relief.