Montpellier beat Bath with 22 unanswered second-half points at the Rec

Montpellier came from behind at the Rec on Saturday 17 October. They scored 22 points without reply in the second half to beat Bath in the Pool Four opener for both sides.

The visitors started well. Former Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg ran in the first try of the match on 12 minutes. Bath recovered to lead 14-10 at half-time through tries by Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green.

The home side then had chances to stretch that lead early in the second half and missed them. On 43 minutes Joe Cokanasiga failed to gather a pass a metre short under the posts with the line open.

Taofifenua turns the game

Montpellier took over between the 48th and 77th minutes. Wing Donovan Taofifenua scored twice in the second half. His second try came when he intercepted a Finn Russell pass on halfway and outran the Bath defenders to the line.

Alexandre Becognee made the win safe with a late try from close range on 77 minutes and was named man of the match. Adam Hastings kicked 10 points for Montpellier from three conversions and two penalties. Andrea Piardi of Italy refereed the match.

It was a strong start to the pool for a Montpellier side that won the Challenge Cup last season and lost in the Top 14 final.

Bulls also off the mark

Earlier on the same Saturday, the Bulls beat Stade Francais 56-20 with a bonus point. They scored eight tries, and Cheswill Jooste got a hat-trick that included a try inside the first 20 seconds.

Bath's remaining pool matches are against Cardiff, the Bulls and Stade Francais.