EPCR finals weekend match thread

DJIMI TRARORE · 22-05-2026 09:54PM

They've beaten Bordeaux twice this season as well, unusual that they hadn't qualified for champs league

CuriousCucumber · 22-05-2026 09:55PM

I think people are under appreciating Montpellier. They made Ulster look bad,but they're a excellent team. Would be a close fight if they played Bordeaux tomorrow

AbusesToilets · 22-05-2026 09:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124491249#Comment_124491249

Agree, Lowry is a very talented player. Isn't inhibited by his stature at all.

Podge_irl · 22-05-2026 10:02PM

That was bad, no bones about it, but it is probably worth putting Montpelier's form in context. They have won 12 of their last 13 games, only losing away to Toulouse. They beat Bordeaux home and away. There is a very good chance they could win the Top 14.

standardg60 · 22-05-2026 10:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124491263#Comment_124491263

They are a serious side, but Ulster were just far too porous in defence, never really gave themselves a chance.

Balacoune is looking more and more a top international player, superb game under difficult circumstances.

Clegg · 22-05-2026 10:32PM

Front row was munched once Bell went off. And the scrum was barely hanging when he was on the pitch too.

Ulster conceded 11 penalties this evening and at least 4 of them came from lost scrums. Composition of the pack just isn't there yet. Props had a tough time, but there were issues with the second rows behind them too. Izuchukwu's best moments came from open field running. He's not the piano shifter sort of lock you need for a set piece battle.

bigmac86 · 22-05-2026 11:18PM

Would hope with Henderson, Snyman, Sheridan, Irvine and Hopes that Izzy won't be needed at lock as much next season. Creates a selection headache at 6 with McCann and McNabney but would rather see him in his best position

AbusesToilets · 22-05-2026 11:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124491349#Comment_124491349

Any penalty by Ulster was basically a guaranteed try for Montpelier. Thought it was madness for them to not contest the lineout, given the Montpelier maul was so strong.

You just can't compete when you make so many basic errors. Hate to say it, but the Wards were probably directly responsible for 4 or more of the tries Montpelier scored. Horrorshow of a day for them.

MarinersBlues · 22-05-2026 11:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124491204#Comment_124491204

Nonsense.

Connacht have a 100% record in major finals.

ersatz · 22-05-2026 11:32PM

Forards were well hammered out there tonight, yes there are a few things guys could have done differently and maybe attitude was a bit off, but we shouldn't forget just how good Montpellier are, they're absolutely on fire in the T14 going toe to toe and beating some of the best teams in the game. Some of the stuff they'll be annoyed about, like some very loose line out work and some very weak tackling in the second half, but Montpellier were well on top from about 20 minutes in. Ulster finish the season disappointed I'd say, but some players have really emerged this year and they are more than half way there. Hopefully Leinster can balance the books for Ireland tomorrow.

Willie Power · 23-05-2026 12:23PM

Is their any site that the ECR final can be streamed live on? Thanks.

Podge_irl · 23-05-2026 12:33PM

https://epcrugby.tv/epcrtv

This is the only legit one, or Now TV depending on where you are.

It is also on ITV4

Brief_Lives · 23-05-2026 01:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492157#Comment_124492157

Did anyone here watch last nights game on ITV4?

who was commentating?

I think I would like to avoid Abdy Goode on Premier Sports

Whitters22 · 23-05-2026 01:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492252#Comment_124492252

They were just piggybacking on Premier's coverage.

theVersatile · 23-05-2026 01:21PM

Best of luck for this one lads.

Larbre34 · 23-05-2026 01:47PM

Great start Prem Sports, with a busted ass broadcast pattern.

PmMeUrDogs · 23-05-2026 01:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492138#Comment_124492138

Nowtv, premier sports etc, all require payment/subscription. Worth it for the match IMO. I've utilised nowtv day passes a lot.

There are not so legitimate streams that can be used through a browser that has an adblocker running.

AbusesToilets · 23-05-2026 02:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492138#Comment_124492138

ITV was flawless on VPN for me, always a joy when they or BBC have a game.

Willie Power · 23-05-2026 02:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492303#Comment_124492303

Thanks a million. Might.do.

sydthebeat · 23-05-2026 02:36PM

I'm quietly confident to be honest.

Bordeaux don't like playing against a suffocatingb hard hitting team like us. The closest team they play that are similar to us is Montpellier. Bordeaux have lost twice to them at this season (narrowly yes, but both home and away). If we can stay in their faces and make them panic, they will throw balls to the deck. Hopefully that's makes jalibert carry more than he even does normally, because they won't be too many gaps around that ruck for him, and we pincer inwards so even if he does beat the first man our scramble inwards so deal will him.

In attack we will do nothing special, as mentioned above we'll just do what we've some all season. Kick out of our 22, luck contestibles n the middle third and batter them consistently in the red zone.

We need our back 3 to be completely on it defensively, and Keenan there will mop up those areas that LBB likes to hare into.

Leinster by 11

33 - 22

ElisaAtWar · 23-05-2026 02:36PM

When Ulster look back at their season I suspect there will be regret that their focus switched from the URC to the Challenge Cup. I did read a comment from Mikey Lowry saying as much some weeks ago and I thought it such a strange comment. And if he felt that way you can be sure his teammates felt that way also. And that should never have been the case.

Anyway onto 5th placed in T14 vs 2nd placed in URC. I only see one outcome. And I believe the margin will be similar to last night. And it will cement French rugby as the force in northern hemisphere for some time to come.

I think it will also end the era of Leo Cullen and in 2027 we will see Andy Farrell leaves and finally we can start to reignite rugby in Ireland

HanShotFirst · 23-05-2026 02:37PM

Is Furlong warming up? I saw Slimani

Pudsy33 · 23-05-2026 02:38PM

Sitting down in a cafe in Hanoi to watch, lets hope it's an evening to remember.

HanShotFirst · 23-05-2026 02:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492420#Comment_124492420

Ho Chi Minh loved a good ruck

Go to the mausoleum

Larbre34 · 23-05-2026 02:47PM

Jesus. Why would you risk that when it'd be your possession anyway.

AbusesToilets · 23-05-2026 02:51PM

Clarkson did really well there

Paddy_Mag · 23-05-2026 02:54PM

Great patience

Did conan get a smack on the head there just before the try

Larbre34 · 23-05-2026 02:55PM

That'll do for openers. Everyone awake and effective.

Nice one.

ironingbored · 23-05-2026 02:55PM

Get In!

High shoton Conan.

Loads of penalties there not awarded.

sydthebeat · 23-05-2026 02:55PM

Yes!!

Much more of that please

EPCR finals weekend match thread

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