FOUR-TIME HEINEKEN Cup winners Toulouse put domestic concerns behind them to open their Champions Cup Pool 4 campaign with a 30-23 win over Montpellier at Stade Ernest Wallon.
However, Fabien Galthié’s Montpellier did come away with a losing bonus point when Benoît Paillaugue struck a last-gasp penalty almost immediately after Toulouse out-half Toby Flood had slotted three points of his own.
Yoann Huget was named man of the match for his two-try display, but it was the creative promptings of Kiwi Luke McAlister that were behind much of the best attacking play from Guy Novès’ team.
Scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain crossed the whitewash for a crucial 65th-minute try for Toulouse, while McAlister contributed eight points from the tee and Flood added two conversions and that late penalty, having been sprung from the bench to replace Florian Fritz at half time.
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A try from former Ulster wing Timoci Nagusa, converted by Teddy Iribaren, allowed Montpellier into a 10-3 lead approaching half time, with Iribaren having struck an early penalty.
However, Huget’s first five-pointer, as well as a conversion and penalty from McAlister allowed Toulouse to claw their way to a 13-10 half time lead. Montpellier struck again after the break, with Wynand Olivier dotting down and young out-half Enzo Selponi converting, to grab a 17-13 advantage.
Huget was on hand to finish a move in which McAlister was central to top off another immediate Toulouse response. Iribaren drew the sides level at 20-20 with 62 minutes on the clock, but Doussain’s try again took the former giants clear.
Elsewhere, the Ospreys made a convincing start to their efforts to advance from Pool 5, moving to the top of the group with a five-try 42-7 win over Treviso at Liberty Stadium.
Jeff Hassler, Rhys Webb, Dan Evans [2] and Dan Baker all dotted down, while the in-form Dan Biggar kicked four conversions and three penalties. Alun-Wyn Jones led superbly from the second row, while Webb was once again instrumental at nine.
A neck injury to Baker did take the gloss off the victory for the Ospreys, although the region say he was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
This victory takes the Ospreys clear of Racing Métro, who beat Northampton last night in Paris. The Welsh side now travel to take on the Saints on Saturday with seven wins from seven games in all competitions so far this season.
Former giants Toulouse start with a win as Ospreys' strong form continues
FOUR-TIME HEINEKEN Cup winners Toulouse put domestic concerns behind them to open their Champions Cup Pool 4 campaign with a 30-23 win over Montpellier at Stade Ernest Wallon.
However, Fabien Galthié’s Montpellier did come away with a losing bonus point when Benoît Paillaugue struck a last-gasp penalty almost immediately after Toulouse out-half Toby Flood had slotted three points of his own.
Yoann Huget was named man of the match for his two-try display, but it was the creative promptings of Kiwi Luke McAlister that were behind much of the best attacking play from Guy Novès’ team.
Scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain crossed the whitewash for a crucial 65th-minute try for Toulouse, while McAlister contributed eight points from the tee and Flood added two conversions and that late penalty, having been sprung from the bench to replace Florian Fritz at half time.
A try from former Ulster wing Timoci Nagusa, converted by Teddy Iribaren, allowed Montpellier into a 10-3 lead approaching half time, with Iribaren having struck an early penalty.
However, Huget’s first five-pointer, as well as a conversion and penalty from McAlister allowed Toulouse to claw their way to a 13-10 half time lead. Montpellier struck again after the break, with Wynand Olivier dotting down and young out-half Enzo Selponi converting, to grab a 17-13 advantage.
Huget was on hand to finish a move in which McAlister was central to top off another immediate Toulouse response. Iribaren drew the sides level at 20-20 with 62 minutes on the clock, but Doussain’s try again took the former giants clear.
Elsewhere, the Ospreys made a convincing start to their efforts to advance from Pool 5, moving to the top of the group with a five-try 42-7 win over Treviso at Liberty Stadium.
Jeff Hassler, Rhys Webb, Dan Evans [2] and Dan Baker all dotted down, while the in-form Dan Biggar kicked four conversions and three penalties. Alun-Wyn Jones led superbly from the second row, while Webb was once again instrumental at nine.
A neck injury to Baker did take the gloss off the victory for the Ospreys, although the region say he was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
This victory takes the Ospreys clear of Racing Métro, who beat Northampton last night in Paris. The Welsh side now travel to take on the Saints on Saturday with seven wins from seven games in all competitions so far this season.
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European Rugby Champions Cup Contenders Montpellier Ospreys pool 4 pool 5 Results Stade Toulousain