champions cup
Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

They earn themselves a penalty when a Montpellier player fails to roll away. They opt for the corner in a very kick-able position, and are turned over two phases later - three points go a begging..

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

Tekori puts his side on the front foot early in the second half. He receives the ball inside the Montpellier half and brushes off challenges from Iribarent and Selponi. Toulouse capitalise on the go-forward ball and steadily advance towards the whitewash..

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

A highly exciting half of rugby in the Stade Ernest Wallon - Toulouse lead by three, but are far from dominating a passionate, motivated Montpellier side. The visitors have shown more desire in attack, but the Toulousain defence has been solid and structured. Second half promises to be an interesting one, if both sides can reduce their error counts - scrums have become all to frequent in this game.

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

Toulouse collect the kick-off and build their way back into the Montpellier half. They begin hammering the defences, and grinding towards the elusive Montpellier whitewash. Eventually it's McAlister who spots space in behind and threads a beautiful kick for Huget to collect and dot down. Conversion is good, and with that, Barnes brings a close to the half.

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

Toulouse are immediately gifted a chance to take back three - Montpellier are spotted holding on the floor, and McAlister makes no mistakes, narrowing the gap to four. Two and a half minutes to go..

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

Minutes later, Montpellier cross again - this time there's no deliberation, and Wayne Barnes sounds his whistle in confirmation. It's Nagusa who touches down, but Iribarent creates it, splitting the defence with some wonderful footwork and slipping an offload to the big winger who sprints clear.

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

A Montpellier scrum on halfway leads to what looks like a try - Bowen tears off the rear and takes his side deep into the Toulousain half, the ball is flung wide to exploit a back-pedalling defence. Viriviri receives out wide and bolts down the touch-line. He looks to be in for five points, but TMO is consulted when Dusatoir reports being held at the scrum - TMO confirms, no try!

Charlie G. Oct 10

What happened there? It said 8-3 to Montpellier a minute ago?

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

Play has deteriorated somewhat since the opening quarter - numerous knock-on's making for stop-start, static rugby.

Ultimate Rugby Oct 10

The home-side do an excellent job of retreating and slowing down play and the Montpellier counter-attack comes to nothing- they get pinged for holding and Toulouse relieve pressure through McAlister's boot.