Warriors undone by double sin-binning
MONTPELLIER breathed life back into their Champions Cup campaign with a well constructed win against a Glasgow side that have been unable to replicate their brilliant domestic form in Europe this season.
The French side, coached by former Scotland boss Vern Cotter, arrived with a positive mindset looking for not only a rare win on the road in Europe – this was their first away victory for ten games – but four tries and a bonus point.
They achieved the latter soon after half-time but then took the foot off the accelerator and nearly undid all their good work. Or perhaps as many French clubs do, they were struggling with the pace of a frantic game on Glasgow’s ultra quick 4G pitch.
Montpellier, playing into a fierce wind, signalled their intentions from the start and although Glasgow struck first with a Finn Russell penalty, it was the visitors who scored the first try with a brilliantly taken score by lively flanker Kelian Galletier.
The next 20 minutes though was all Glasgow as they went through the gears in trademark fashion and created two cracking tries. Italy wing Leonardo Sarto stepped his way through after running hard onto an Ali Price pass and then hooker George Turner latched onto a cheeky little inside pass from Russell.
Turner, however, then produced a moment of madness that probably cost his side the match, needlessly charging into the back of the stationary Louis Picamoles ten yards from the ball. It was a sure-fire red but Matthew Carley signalled only yellow even if the hooker will almost certainly be cited and banned.
From that moment onwards angry Montpellier rolled up their sleeves and went to work. The splendid Galletier struck for a second try and then just before half-time they were awarded a penalty try as the Glasgow pack disintegrated in front of them and Jonny Gray was carded.
Montpellier were still running hot after the break and stretched their lead to nine when former South African discus champion Jacques Du Plessis powered over. At that stage it looked like Glasgow might be in for a thumping.
Instead Montpellier’s intensity dipped and Glasgow, knowing that a defeat would effectively end their campaign three matches before time, roused themselves again. Sarto roared in for a second try after a Scott Cummings turnover sparked a thrilling counterattack down the right flank featuring Huw Jones, but Russell missed the conversion from wide out.
The match was poised delicately but Montpellier, who had visibly tightened up, recognised the danger just in time and started playing again with a Steyn penalty settling them a little. They still had some defending to do and a turnover from Nemani Nadolo thwarted Glasgow’s final meaningful attack and Montpellier deservedly, if gratefully, took the spoils.
Glasgow coach Dave Rennie could have no complaints with the cards but highlighted how important they were: “They scored 21 points while we had guys in the bin and we lost by seven.Even with that, our ball retention was woeful.”
For Cotter it was job done: “We needed nothing less than five points to keep us in contention, we stayed positive and we delivered.”