Montpellier 33 - 31 Connacht

Full time

11 Jan 2026

Stage: Pool 1 Round 3

Septeo Stadium

🎉 1

🔥 1

Montpellier and Connacht played to an exhilarating 31-31 draw in the Challenge Cup at Septeo Stadium. Montpellier started strong with tries from Darmon and Akrab, both converted by Coly, putting them ahead early. Connacht responded swiftly with tries from Murphy, Tierney-Martin, and Treacy, with Gilbert converting each. The match saw a shift in momentum as Gilbert scored a try shortly after halftime, bringing Connacht to a 24-19 lead. Montpellier rallied with tries from Rates and Bernadet, bringing their total to 31 points. A late try from Welsch sealed the score for Montpellier, but Connacht held firm to ensure a dramatic draw. This match showcased impressive performances from both teams, particularly from Gilbert, who scored a try and converted several others.

Broadcasters

Where to watch in: France, Ireland

Weather

Temperature: 8.8°C (Feels like 10.9°C) Condition: MostlyClear Wind: 5.0 km/h, gusting to 14.5 km/h Humidity: 46% Cloud Cover: 16%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
4'

Try

Thomas Darmon · Montpellier

5 - 0
5'

Conversion

Leo Coly · Montpellier

7 - 0
7'

Try

Ben Murphy · Connacht

7 - 5
8'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert · Connacht

7 - 7
15'

Try

Lyam Akrab · Montpellier

12 - 7
16'

Conversion

Leo Coly · Montpellier

14 - 7
18'

Try

Dylan Tierney-Martin · Connacht

14 - 12
19'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert · Connacht

14 - 14
31'

Try

Finn Treacy · Connacht

14 - 19
32'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert · Connacht

14 - 21
39'

Penalty

Sam Gilbert · Connacht

14 - 24
Halftime 14 - 24
Second Half
46'

Try

Sam Gilbert · Connacht

14 - 29
47'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert · Connacht

14 - 31
47'

Substitution

Christopher Tolofua on for Luka Japaridze · Montpellier
52'

Substitution

Peter Dooley on for Billy Bohan · Connacht
52'

Substitution

Fiachna Barrett on for Sam Illo · Connacht
55'

Substitution

Ricky Riccitelli on for Lyam Akrab · Montpellier
55'

Substitution

Valentin Welsch on for Baptiste Erdocio · Montpellier
56'

Substitution

Niall Murray on for Josh Murphy · Connacht
56'

Substitution

Sean O'Brien on for Paul Boyle · Connacht
56'

Substitution

Arthur Vincent on for Justo Piccardo · Montpellier
56'

Substitution

Langi Gleeson on for Florian Verhaeghe · Montpellier
60'

Substitution

Alexis Bernadet on for Leo Coly · Montpellier
61'

Substitution

Matthieu Uhila on for Bastien Chalureau · Montpellier
63'

Substitution

Matt Victory on for Dylan Tierney-Martin · Connacht
63'

Substitution

John Devine on for Finn Treacy · Connacht
65'

Try

Melvyn Rates · Montpellier

19 - 31
66'

Conversion

Stuart Hogg · Montpellier

21 - 31
66'

Substitution

Albert Linder on for Ben Murphy · Connacht
68'

Try

Alexis Bernadet · Montpellier

26 - 31
71'

Substitution

Jules Ducros on for Melvyn Rates · Montpellier
71'

Substitution

Sean Walsh on for Shane Jennings · Connacht
74'

Try

Valentin Welsch · Montpellier

31 - 31
75'

Conversion

Stuart Hogg · Montpellier

33 - 31
Fulltime 33 - 31

Player ratings

Montpellier

15 Thomas Vincent 6.3
14 Donovan Taofifenua 7.2
13 Thomas Darmon 8.1
12 Justo Piccardo 6.8
11 Melvyn Rates 7.1
10 Stuart Hogg 7.1
9 Leo Coly 7.5
1 Baptiste Erdocio 6.7
2 Lyam Akrab 7.8
3 Luka Japaridze 7.0
4 Florian Verhaeghe 5.9
5 Bastien Chalureau 7.2
6 Marco Tauleigne 7.3
7 Alexandre Becognee 8.1
8 Alexander Masibaka 9.1
16 Ricky Riccitelli 6.3
17 Valentin Welsch 7.4
18 Christopher Tolofua 6.0
19 Matthieu Uhila 7.3
20 Langi Gleeson 6.3
21 Alexis Bernadet 7.2
22 Arthur Vincent 6.4
23 Jules Ducros –

Connacht

15 Sam Gilbert 7.5
14 Shane Jennings 8.1
13 Harry West 8.7
12 Cathal Forde 7.1
11 Finn Treacy 8.1
10 Josh Ioane 7.6
9 Ben Murphy 6.8
1 Billy Bohan 6.2
2 Dylan Tierney-Martin 7.3
3 Sam Illo 6.1
4 Darragh Murray 6.8
5 Josh Murphy 6.2
6 Cian Prendergast 6.5
7 Paul Boyle 6.8
8 Sean Jansen 8.8
16 Matt Victory 6.0
17 Peter Dooley 6.1
18 Fiachna Barrett 6.4
19 Niall Murray 6.3
20 Sean O'Brien 7.0
21 Albert Linder 5.9
22 Sean Walsh –
23 John Devine 5.7