Latest
Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
Toulouse centre Sofiane Guitone (left) celebrates after scoring a try
Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup Pool 5 match sees Toulouse host Montpellier in what is a critical clash for both sides, live on BT Sport and beIN SPORTS from 13:00 GMT.
Toulouse sit top of Pool 5 with nine points from two matches while Montpellier are second after a comfortable win over Gloucester last week.
Key facts
- Each of Montpellier’s nine games against TOP 14 opposition in the Heineken Champions Cup have been won by the home side on the day. Montpellier won four and lost five in that spell.
- Toulouse have lost just two of their 14 games against TOP 14 opposition in the Heineken Champions Cup (W11, D1), however, one of those defeats was against Montpellier (also v Oyonnax in 2015/16).
- Toulouse have won each of their last six home games in the tournament, their best run since winning eight in a row between 2009 and 2011.
- Montpellier have made 17 turnovers this season, the joint most of any club alongside Clermont.
- Toulouse have made the most carries (344) and spent the longest time in possession (47 minutes, 32 seconds) this season, despite opting to kick from hand more often than any other side (60).
- Toulouse’s Thomas Ramos is the only player to make 200+ metres after two rounds, with 202 from his 33 carries.
- Benoit Paillaugue (Montpellier) has been on target with each of his 10 place kicks to date, and he is one of just two players to attempt 8+ kicks at goal without missing, along with Exeter Chiefs’ Joe Simmonds (11/11).
- Sofiane Guitoune (Toulouse) has made seven offloads so far, and no other player has made more than four.
IT'S GAME DAY 🙌
Here's a reminder of how #HeinekenChampionsCup Round 3 will unfold, starting with @bathrugby 🆚 @ASMOfficiel 👀
Which game will be the best of the weekend? Comment below 👇 pic.twitter.com/xkYiBrPMWN
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 6, 2019
Romain Ntamack’s two tries proved crucial in Toulouse’s 23-9 victory over Montpellier at Stade Ernest Wallon which puts them in charge of Pool 5 in the Heineken Champions Cup.
In an attritional match played in driving rain, Thomas Ramos’ impeccable form from the kicking tee was also key to Toulouse’s victory, which gives them three wins from three and lifts them to 13 points, already six clear of Gloucester in second spot.
The game got off to a slow start as both sides adjusted to the conditions, but two Ramos penalties had the hosts 6-0 up after 21 minutes.
On 36 minutes, Toulouse bashed away at the visitors’ line before Ntamack cut through a tiny gap to barge over for the opening try, which Ramos converted.
11 – 0 36ème minute : Essai toulousain de @RomainNtamack #STMHR pic.twitter.com/4BS2XP2OTz
— Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) December 8, 2019
Benoit Paillaugue belatedly got Montpellier on the scoreboard with a penalty right on half-time.
Francois Steyn landed a monster of a penalty just after the interval and Montpellier had hope at 13-6 down. They were inches away from reducing the deficit further but another long-ranger from Steyn hit the post.
Steyn turned villian on 49 minutes when it was his loose pass that was intercepted by the alert Ntamack who raced away to touch down.
Paillaugue landed another penalty but when captain Louis Picamoles was sin-binned Montpellier’s task got a fair bit harder – and Ramos’ fifth successful kick of the game on 68 minutes enabled the hosts to close out the win comfortably.
LIVE - TEST - Commentary