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Glasgow Warriors stand in the way of an historic 100th European win for Toulouse when they clash in the third round of the Champions Cup. - 04/12/2014 16:19
Gregor Townsend should receive a warm welcome on his return to Montpellier but his side will be looking for a win to keep their European campaign on track.
Warriors head coach Townsend enjoyed a successful season playing for Montpellier a decade ago in the twilight of his career.
But he will be expecting no favours from the French side as attempt to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Toulouse in round one.
“Montpellier have really grown since I was there,” said Townsend. “They’ve had a huge investment in their facilities and playing squad, which has helped them become one of the best teams in France.
“They moved to the wonderful Stade Yves-du Manoir the season after I returned home and they regularly manage to fill the venue with passionate and noisy support.
“Back in 2004 they had four superb young players just beginning to break into the first team – Louis Picamoles, Julien Thomas, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Francois Trinh-Dhuc. Only Ouedraogo and Trinh-Duc remain at the club, but a number of other home-grown players have since come through their youth system. Together with their experienced foreign players they have tremendous depth in their squad.
“But we can’t wait to go up against another team that can be considered one of the best in Europe.”
Montpellier are currently 4th in the Top 14, five points behind league leaders Clermont. They scored two tries in their 30-23 defeat to Toulouse in round one to claim a losing point and sit third in Pool 4.
Match Facts
- These sides have met each other just twice in this competition, with Glasgow Warriors winning one, and a draw being shared in the other clash in the 2011/12 season.
- Glasgow have won just two of their last 13 against French sides (L10, D1).
- Glasgow have been victorious just once in 14 attempts on French soil in this tournament (L12 D1) – their one win came over four time winners Toulouse.
- Glasgow’s 37-10 win against Bath in round 1 was their biggest win in the history of the tournament.
- Montpellier made 15 clean breaks in last weekend’s games, more than any other team in the tournament.
Gregor Townsend and his Glasgow Warriors took a giant leap towards the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 15-13 triumph at his former club Montpellier. - 25/10/2014 19:51
Gregor Townsend and his Glasgow Warriors took a giant leap towards the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 15-13 triumph at his former club Montpellier.
The Altrad Stadium battle will go down in Scotstoun folklore as the PRO12 high-flyers claimed their second win on French soil in Europe’s premier competition.
Finn Russell produced a faultless kicking display with his five penalties from five attempts to lead his side to glory. Russell calmed Warriors nerves after two minutes with his first penalty of the evening after Kelian Galletier carelessly crashed into Tim Swinson while the Scotland second-row was airborne.
The 22-year-old fly-half landed the confidence boosting kick to give the visitors an early 3-0 lead. Stuart Hogg failed with a long-range penalty just two minutes laster after Kiwi centre Rene Ranger stopped Tommy Seymour in his tracks with a wild flailing arm.
Russell resumed kicking duties and extended his side’s lead to six after the hosts went offside to stop a flowing Glasgow move. The Top 14 high-flyers sprung into action on the 15 minute mark and won a penalty which scrum-half Paillaugue landed to cut the deficit to three.
Seymour collided with Sitaleki Timani during a sustained spell of Glasgow pressure but they could not muster a score. The hosts marched back downfield and claimed their second three-pointer after the Warriors went in at the side to close the gap to 9-6 at the break.
The Scots’ survived a heavy spell of pressure before Mark Bennett set off on a kinking run. Robert Ebersohn was sin-binned for using his boot in the ruck after he was finally brought down. Russell made it four from four on 60 minutes and struck again moments later to lead his side to glory.
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