Scotland scrum-half named in Montpellier starting XV for Challenge Cup final

The 33-year old features in a strong 23 man squad for the French club which also includes fellow 2021 British & Irish Lion Adam Beard on the bench. Billy Vunipola, the 75-times capped England back rower, captains the side.

They take on Ulster in the showpiece match which is being played at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. The URC outfit have also named their team for the match which includes multiple Ireland internationalists.

It will be a chance for Price to impress national team head coach Gregor Townsend with the former Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh man having fallen down the pecking order in recent years. He has not added to his 68 Scotland caps since the 2024 Autumn Nations Series with Toulon’s Ben White now the first choice nine.

Price’s former Warriors teammate George Horne is the go-to deputy while Gus Warr, who plays with Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership, has emerged on the scene since switching international allegiances from England. However, the Montpellier half-back remains an option for Townsend and playing in a European final certainly won’t hamper his chances of returning to the national team fold.

“It’s huge for the club,” said Price, speaking ahead of the final. “We’ve touched on a bit of the history of Montpellier over the last 10 to 15 years and to add another title would be huge for the city, supporters and us as a team.

“I think over this year we’ve come together as a group, we’re really close, and it would be a lovely prize to have to sum up the hard work over this season. Nathan Doak has been in brilliant form for Ulster, as have a lot of their player, and I always like to test myself against guys whether they’re experience or up and coming and really pushing their game on.”

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is not included in the the French side’s 23-man squad for the final while Scotland ‘A’ cap Alex Masibaka also misses out. The Australian born No 8 has spent time on loan at Pro D2 side Soyaux Angoulême this season.

Montpellier starting XV: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Gabriel Ngandebe, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Auguste Cadot, 11 Donovan Taofifenua, 9 Ali Price. 1 Enzo Forletta, 2 Jordan Uelese, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 5 Taylor Duguid, 6 Lenni Nouchi, 7 Alexandre Becognee, 8 Billy Vunipola (captain). Replacements: 16 Lyam Akrab, 17 Baptiste Erdocio, 18 Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Marco Tauleigne, 21 Leo Coly, 22Thomas Darmon, 23 Jon Echegaray.

Ulster starting XV: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak. 1 Angus Bell, 2 Tom Stewart, 3 Tom O’Toole, 4 Harry Sheridan, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 6 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney (Captain), 8 Juarno Augustus. Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Charlie Irvine, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Ethan McIlroy.

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