Richie Murphy's Ulster side takes on Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao on Friday, chasing their first trophy since 2006. Murphy told BBC Sport NI his players walk past photographs of past silverware in the Nine Counties lounge and want to join that company. "We want to try and achieve what they've achieved," he said, emphasizing that dreams alone won't win matches.

Ulster finished ninth in the URC with 52 points, two short of the play-off cut-off, ending a campaign that produced 14 more points than the previous season. Murphy acknowledged that juggling European fixtures on off-weekends drained squad depth, though he refused to offer excuses. Young players stepped up, but the dual competition ultimately cost them a top-eight finish.

Montpellier sit second in France's Top 14 and have won the Challenge Cup twice before, in 2016 and 2021. Their squad blends French talent with Billy Vunipola, Ali Price, and Adam Beard, giving them depth Ulster lacks. Murphy called them "a very, very good team" but believes Ulster's season-ending focus could prove decisive in Bilbao.