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Tournament debutants Montpellier welcome Heineken Cup Champions Leinster to the south of France on Saturday afternoon. - 10/11/2011 11:35
Tournament debutants Montpellier welcome Heineken Cup Champions Leinster to the south of France on Saturday afternoon.
Fabien Galthie’s side made it through to the quarter-final stage of the Amlin Challenge Cup last season but their form has seen them win just two of their opening nine games in the French TOP14.
A host of Internationals have return to Stade Yves du Manoir but with former Champions Bath their next opponents following Leinster it will be a tough few first weeks in the Heineken Cup.
Leinster’s pedigree makes impressive reading – two Heineken Cup titles in the past three seasons.
After lifting the crown in a thrilling final in Cardiff back in May confidence will be high for the Irish Province heading to France for their opening encounter.
Leinster have won all their games on the road in France during the past two seasons and will be hoping their fortunes continue as they begin the 2011/12 season.
A major blow for the Champions is the loss of inspirational centre Brian O’Driscoll who has been ruled out with a neck / shoulder injury until May.
28 point hero Jonny Sexton says his team's remarkable second half comeback was inspired by coach Joe Schmidt saying they would be remembered if they could turn the match around. - 21/05/2011 23:53
Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton kicked a last gasp penalty to earn Heineken Cup Champions Leinster a draw against debutants Montpellier at the Stade de la Mosson as the sides shared the points in a titanic battle.
The hosts battled ferociously and looked set to record a famous opening victory until the Irish province showed their European experience to force their way back into the game and level the scores with the final kick of the game.
Montpellier have struggled in the TOP14 this season but were boosted by the return of their International stars and they dominated the game for large periods.
Scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue opened Montpellier’s Heineken Cup account with a penalty after two minutes but that was soon cancelled out by last season’s Heineken Cup Final man of the match Sexton who kicked his first points of the 2011/12 campaign.
The Irish fly-half then kicked the Champions in front with his second penalty from 47-metres.
Powered on from their fanatical support Montpellier crossed for the opening try in fantastic fashion. The hosts broke from deep and as they won the footrace to a chip through, captain Fulgence Ouedraogo was fed the ball for the easiest of scores. Paillaugue added the extras and then another penalty before the interval to round-up a dominant first forty minutes.
The titanic battle continued at a furious pace in the second period and it again was Montpellier that struck first. With Paillaugue off the field, kicking duties fell to Trinh-Duc, and the French fly-half who starred throughout the clash, had no problem extending his side’s lead to ten points.
Leinster, famed for their fight-back ability then began edging their way back into the game. Using all their European experience they started pushing Montpellier back and controlling proceedings.
Replacement hooker Sean Cronin showed great pace and power to gab Leinster’s only try and Sexton’s conversion brought the scores to within three.
With the clock showing red, Sexton then cooly slotted his final penalty to earn his side a famous draw.
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