Montpellier Secures Challenge Cup Final Spot with Narrow Win Over Dragons
Montpellier clinched a place in the Challenge Cup final by defeating Dragons 18-12 at the Septeo Stadium. The victory, marked by tries from lock Tyler DuGuid and scrum-half Alexis Bernadet, along with eight points from Thomas Vincent, propelled Montpellier into the tournament finale set for Friday, 22 May in Bilbao. The Dragons, showcasing resilience, responded with two tries from centre Aneurin Owen. Despite their defensive grit, the Welsh side struggled with possession and territory, limiting their attacking opportunities. Key highlights from the match include: Montpellier achieved their seventh consecutive win in this season's tournament. This match marked the end of Welsh interest in the European tournaments for the season. The Dragons were the only Welsh team remaining in Europe, marking their first Challenge Cup semi-final in 10 years. Montpellier, currently third in the Top 14 league in France, celebrated a recent away win against Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles. The Dragons nearly struck first with a promising line-out but faltered due to a wayward pass. Montpellier's Vincent opened the scoring with a penalty, and despite Dragons' defensive efforts, DuGuid crossed for the first try. In response, Dragons’ David Richards showcased tenacity, forcing a Montpellier error, leading to Owen’s try. Montpellier maintained pressure, with Vincent adding two penalties, giving them a 13-5 lead at halftime. The second half saw Montpellier’s dominance continue, with Bernadet scoring despite being down a player. Dragons rallied late with Owen’s try but ultimately fell short, unable to capitalize on their late momentum.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-03