Challenge Cup final: Montpellier v Ulster – How the absent quartet could still play a role in the final

Henderson, McCloskey, Stockdale and Herring will not be on the field at Bilbao, but they will still have a role to play.

Looking at the squad that faced Exeter, with three of the four playing together last time out, the inexperience of the squad as a whole shows.

Of the remaining 20 players, only Warner Cock and Nick Timony are above 30 years of age. Ireland international Timoney joins Tom O’Toole, Nathan Doak and Michael Lowry as those who have scored at least one century for Ulster.

Hume added, “It’s tough for Stu and some of the older guys who have been in the squad a lot longer than those of us playing. Cup finals don’t come around very often.”

“Everyone understands that and has given them some support.

“They’ve been great around the squad, just trying to be in the changing room, being around squad and team meetings and stuff, helping out where they can.”

Head coach Richie Murphy added that losing the quartet was “not ideal” but they were still involved in preparation.

“These four guys are working really hard to try and prepare and help them be at their best on Friday,” he said.

“You look at it and four of our most experienced players, who have come so far, are going to miss the final, which is not ideal for us, but the opportunity goes to other people.

“What we want to try and do is make sure we go there, make sure we attack the game and give our best account.

“If it’s not enough, we’ll have to take it, but if we can do that, we’ll cause some trouble.”