Ulster travel to Bilbao for the Challenge Cup final, hoping to end a two‑decade trophy drought against French side Montpellier. A combined 50 years and over 800 caps in white will be missing, as captain Iain Henderson serves a three‑match ban and three seniors sit out injured. The squad must replace the quartet while preserving the hard momentum that carried them past Exeter.

James Hume stressed that the sidelined veterans still influence the locker room, urging the 20‑man group to seize the chance. Only Werner Kok and Nick Timoney remain over 30, while Timoney joins a handful of centurions such as Tom O'Toole and Michael Lowry. Coach Richie Murphy described the loss as “not ideal” but confirmed the missing men are involved in preparation.

Ulster’s back‑row depth offers options: David McCann, Juarno Augustus and Cormac Izuchukwu anchor the pack, while Harry Sheridan or Charlie Irvine could fill Henderson’s lock slot. On the wing, Jude Postlethwaite partners James Hume, with Robert Baloucoune’s return a possible boost. Regardless of the reshuffle, Ulster will go into Bilbao intent on ending the 20‑year wait.