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Leinster Rugby are out to complete a clean sweep of Pool 3 and retain an unbeaten record in the European Rugby Champions Cup as they travel to the Altrad Stadium to face Montpellier on Saturday afternoon
Leinster Rugby are out to complete a clean sweep of Pool 3 and retain an unbeaten record in the European Rugby Champions Cup as they travel to the Altrad Stadium to face Montpellier on Saturday afternoon, live on Sky Sports.
- Last season's defeated semi-finalists Leinster Rugby have five wins from five meaning they are already assured a place in the quarter-finals of Europe's elite competition, but Montpellier could conceivably still join them, should Glasgow Warriors defeat Exeter Chiefs in Scotland.
- Just one point separates third-placed Montpellier and Exeter Chiefs in second, meaning a bonus-point victory for the French side and defeat for the reigning Aviva Premiership champions could draw the Top 14 team into contention for one of the three available runners-up berths.
- However, form is not on the side of Montpellier, who suffered a bruising 41-10 reverse at the hands of Exeter Chiefs last Saturday, while their only other defeat in the competition came at the hands of Leinster Rugby, losing 24-17 in Round 1.
- Montpellier will be hoping their talismanic back-row Louis Picamoles can influence the game with his offloading skills, which see him ranked second in Europe with nine in the competition so far, while line-out ball will undoubtedly be priority for three-times Champions Cup winners Leinster Rugby, with towering Devin Toner clinching 20 wins so far in the competition, ranking him seventh.
Leinster finished Champions Cup Pool 3 with a 100% record and top seeding in the quarter-finals as they knocked Montpellier out of the competition. - 20/01/2018 15:30
Leinster finished Champions Cup Pool 3 with a 100% record and top seeding in the quarter-finals as they knocked Montpellier out of the competition.
- Last year's semi-finalists Leinster started strongly and took the lead after a thrilling line break by James Lowe enabled Ross Byrne to dot down in the corner. He missed the conversion but soon added a penalty.
- There was little happening for Montpellier until two quick-fire tries, both stemming from lineouts. Bismarck Du Plessis drove over in a maul, then Yacouba Camara crossed after a nice offload by Louis Picamoles.
- The hosts had their tails up at half time, but never looked like getting the two further tries they needed to secure a bonus point and keep their quarter-final chances alive. Robbie Henshaw's try was swiftly followed by a Ross Byrne penalty which restored Leinster's lead.
- From a 5m lineout, the Irishmen then scored again, James Ryan's wonderful handling allowing Sean Cronin to dive over. That was the way it stayed as the visiting defence looked impenetrable against a fading Montpellier challenge.
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