Montpellier 45
Connacht 22
Connacht, with a run of six successive wins, exited their European Challenge campaign with something of an unexpected whimper against a stronger French outfit in Montpellier.
Familiar foes in Europe, on this occasion the home side held all the aces in this quarter-final at Septeo Stadium, and were deserving winners - more clinical with ball in hand, with Tom Banks and Billy Vunipola leading from the front.
Connacht knew they would have to elevate their performance against this French outfit that has twice won the European Challenge Cup competition, and although captain Cian Prendergast led from the front, aided and abetted by top tackler Darragh Murray, Cathal Forde and Seamus Hurley-Langton, it was not enough to halt Montpellier’s march
“The three yellow cards caught us in the first half,” says head coach Stuart Lancaster. “So to go in 26-8 - two on the bounce in the first five minutes is hard against a team of Montpellier’s equality. Then it was 26-15 and they broke us in the corner - that was the killer really.
“Proud of the young lads, who have played their first game in France, never mind at this level, so a lot to learn,” he Lancaster.
‘We have some good players to come back for our trip to South Africa, and that is our focus now obviously.”
Down 13 men for large periods the game, Lancaster says it is something they practise in training.
“But probably what killed us more than anything else was the inability to keep possession repeatedly, a couple of offloads in the second half that went to floor which gives them a scrum, a penalty and then a maul, and that all builds pressure.
“Defending with 15 makes a huge difference. We got back into the game, but used a hell of a lot of energy to do that - the last 20 minutes, although we brought replacements on, we were chasing the game.”
“But overall as I said to the boys in the changing room, I’m delighted with their effort, grit and determination. Montpellier are a bloody good team and we fight on in the URC for sure.”
Connacht now turn their attention to qualifying in the top eight of the URC, but the run-in is tough - including two games in South Africa, then Munster at Dexcom, and Edinburgh away..
“There’s a lot to do still, it’s going to be tough, but if you want to get good preparation, that was it.
“In some ways, while it is hugely disappointing not to progress because we wanted to, we can now focus all our attention on the URC, and obviously with two huge games in South Africa, Munster at Dexcom, and Edinburgh away, and we want to give ourselves the best chance to get into the top eight which gives us a fight for the play-offs and a fight for Champions Cup rugby.
“Finlay Bealham, David Heffernan, Denis Buckley are big misses, and then we have Shane Jennings, Hugh Gavin, Caolin Blade, who is not far away, so we have good players to come back in which will make a big difference to us.”
When Connacht last faced Montpellier in the same competition in January 2020, the home side came out 35-29 victors, and as expected, they were the bookies’ favourite again. Hard to beat at home, they deservedly prevailed, taking the lead after Connacht’s opening fourth-minute penalty, and continuing to build on it. However, Lancaster’s side did not help itself with three yellow cards within 22 minutes. Dylan Tierney Martin was first to be binned with the concession of a penalty try, followed by Shamus Hurley Langton minutes later. A second try soon followed for the hosts through Christopher Tolofua for a 14-3 lead. And although Connacht had carved chances through Shay Mullins and Shayne Bolton, they were unable to convert them into points until Tierney Martin added a 19th minute try to keep the visitors in the hunt. However, a yellow card or Shayne Bolton for a late tackle did not help, and the result was an immediate try for Mohamed Haousas, and it did not get any better for the visitors when Domingo Miotto added author and converted for a 26-8 lead after 37 minutes.
As expected Connacht replied after the restart - Sean Naughton scoring following a penalty to touch and a strong attack helped by Bundee Aki, with Gilbert converting to narrow the gap to 26-15. But the home side, with some slick handling, delivered again through Auguste Cadot and despite a yellow card for Ali Price, the extending the lead to 40-15 with tries from August Cadot and Aki Price, converted by Vincent.
A raft of replacements added impetus to Connacht’s causes with Jack Aungier scoring in the 70th minute and Gilbert adding the conversion, but it was never going to be enough against a home side intent on progressing as they finished with a flourish from Valentin Welsh to extend their winning margin to 45-22.
Scorers: Montpellier: Tries: C Tolofua, M Haouas, D Miotti, A Cadot, A Price, V Welsch, penalty try. Cons: D Miotti (3 ), T Vincent.
Connacht: Tries: D Tierney-Martin, S Naughton, J Aungier. Cons: S Gilbert (2 from 3 ). Pen: Gilbert.
Montpellier: T Banks; D Taofifenua, A Cadot (A Vincent 60 ), L Anyanwu, J Echegaray; D Miotti (T Vincent 46 ), A Price; B Erdocio (E Forletta 55 ), C Tolofua (L Akrab 46 ), M Haouas (V Welsch 55 ); F Verhaeghe (M Tauleigne 61 ), T DuGuid; Y Camara (L Nouchi 49 ), A Becognee, B Vunipola (c ).
Connacht: S Gilbert; S Bolton (M Victory 13-15, J Devine 66 ), C Forde, B Aki, C Mullins; S Naughton (J Carty 49 ), M Devine (B Murphy 55 ); B Bohan (P Dooley 49 ), D Tierney-Martin (Victory 49 ), S Illo (J Aungier 49 ), J Joyce (J Murphy 55 ), D Murray, C Prendergast (capt ), S Hurley-Langton (S O’Brien 55 ), P Boyle.
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England ).
