Montpellier pip Leicester to Challenge Cup title

Johan Goosen – named man of the match – scored the decisive try in the final for Montpellier just before the hour mark

Montpellier picked up the second Challenge Cup title in their history, as their quality finishing just pipped the Leicester Tigers 18-17 in front of a raucous and socially-distanced crowd of 10,000 at Twickenham. 

Despite having to play the final with 14 men for 20 minutes – No 8 Alexandre Becognee and hooker Guilhem Guirado both sin-binned either side of half-time – a clever Vincent Rattez try and spectacular Johan Goosen effort saw Montpellier claim victory.

Scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue also kicked two penalties and a conversion in the tight victory, as the French outfit added to their 2016 triumph in Lyon.

Leicester – whose rolling maul caused Montpellier consternation all evening -scored tries through Harry Wells and Jasper Wiese, and led on two separate occasions but could not respond at the end.

More to follow…