Robert Baloucoune added his name to the scoresheet as Ulster defeated Montpellier 40-17 in the Challenge Cup in France.

The French side took a 17-7 lead in at halftime before their captain Paul Willemse was dismissed allowing Ulster to take full advantage of the extra man.

Willemse opened the scoring himself and Aubin Eymeri doubled their try tally with Louis Foursans on target from both conversions.

However, just before the half-hour mark, Enniskillen native Baloucoune broke the Montpellier defensive line and raced in before being tackled just short of the line but the ball came to Will Addison who dived over the try line to give Ulster a route back into the contest.

With Cooney’s conversion, Ulster would go on to add further tries to edge in front in the second half as Baloucoune added their second shortly after the Montpellier red card as he dived over in the corner.

After heavy pressure, Scott Wilson eventually tied the game and Cooney then put Ulster in front.

David McCann and Stuart McCloskey put victory beyond doubt while there was also time for a late penalty try when Jake Flannery had an inside pass knocked down.

Baloucoune and his Ulster teammates will now go on to the quarter-final stage for a chance at European silverware.