Category Sports News

Montpellier (14) 33

Tries: Darmon, Akrab, Rates, Bernadet, Welsch Cons: Coly 2, Hogg 2

Connacht (24) 31

Montpellier scored three tries in the final 15 minutes to claim a thrilling 33-31 victory over Connacht in Pool One in the Challenge Cup.

Connacht let a 17-point lead slip and Stuart Hogg converted Valentin Welsch’s 74th-minute try to book Montpellier’s place in the knockout stages.

Despite a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, Connacht can still reach the last 16 if they overcome bottom side US Montauban in their final pool fixture on Saturday.

Thomas Darmon’s converted try gave the hosts an early lead at the Septeo Stadium but Connacht hit back through scrum-half Ben Murphy.

Montpellier regained the lead as hooker Lyam Akrab crossed from a rolling maul, but opposite number Dylan Tierney-Martin responded and Sam Gilbert’s second conversion levelled the game once again.

Finn Treacy’s try put the Irish province ahead for the first time, and a conversion and penalty from Gilbert handed Connacht a deserved 24-14 lead at the break.

Gilbert’s superb afternoon continued as he crossed and converted his own try, which secured the four-try bonus-point and Connacht looked to be in a strong position going into the final quarter of the game.

However, a late flurry from Montpellier meant the hosts would end the game in style. After earlier being denied by Gilbert’s try-saving tackle, wing Melvyn Rates’ try was converted by Hogg, but the former Scotland international missed from the tee after Alexis Bernadet touched down out wide with 11 minutes to play.

But there was late drama as replacement prop Welsch scored under the posts to level the game, and Hogg slotted the conversion for what would be the winning kick.

Montpellier: T Vincent; D Taofifenua; T Darmon, J Piccardo; M Rates; S Hogg, L Coly; B Erdorico, L Akrab, L Japaridze; F Verhaeghe, B Chalureau; M Tauleigne, A Becognee (capt), A Masibaka.

Replacements: R Riccitelli, V Welsch, C Tolofua, M Uhila, L Gleeson, A Bernadet, A Vincent, J Ducros.

Connacht: S Gilbert; S Jennings; H West, C Forde; F Treacy, B Murphy; B Bohan, D Tierney-Martin, S Illo; D Murray, J Murphy; C Prendergast (capt), P Boyle, S Jansen.

Despite a third successive loss in their Champions Cup campaign, Scarlets remain in the hunt for a place in European knockout rugby.

Saturday’s 47-38 defeat by Pau saw them pick up a second losing bonus-point, which could prove crucial in Pool 4.

After the final round of fixtures next weekend, the top four teams qualify for the last 16 of the Champions Cup, while fifth-placed teams drop into the same stage of the Challenge Cup.

Mathematically, Scarlets can still get into the top four, but they would need to start with a bonus-point victory at Northampton Saints, who currently top of the English Premiership, and hope Pau slip up against Bulls.

“It’s obviously disappointing from a loss perspective,” said Peel after the loss to Pau.

“But I did feel like there were elements of our game that were more positive than they were in the last two games, and we’re still in with a tangible opportunity of finishing in fifth place.

“The Bulls have to travel and we have to travel to Franklin’s Gardens, which is a brilliant place to play rugby – I’ve played there myself – against a team who are full of quality.

Scarlets marked their return to Europe’s top competition with a single-point loss to Bristol Bears who, like Saints, are also flying high in the league.

A trip to French giants Bordeaux-Begles followed and, despite being outclassed, Scarlets gave a decent account against the reigning champions, who feature superstars such as Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Pau sent a second-string side to Parc y Scarlets, but showed why they are currently second in the Top 14 in a clinical seven-try display.

Reflecting on the campaign, Peel added: “We’ve played three quality fixtures in this competition and it shows we can compete.

“Maybe a bounce of a ball might go our way one day or we might get a TMO decision that goes our way and that will change a bit of momentum, but until then, we work hard and keep moving forward.

“Saints are a really good attacking side and we conceded 40 odd points… so that’s going to be a big challenge for us to keep them at bay.

Investec Champions Cup

Harlequins (33) 61

Tries: Kenningham, Murley, Dombrandt, Cunningham-South, David 3, Carr, Evans Cons: M Smith 8

Stormers (0) 10

Nick David scored a hat-trick to help Harlequins book their spot in the Investec Champions Cup last 16 by thrashing a much-changed Stormers side at Twickenham Stoop.

Quins now sit second in their pool and will seal a home knockout tie with a bonus-point win over La Rochelle next Sunday.

Flanker Jack Kenningham, Cadan Murley and Alex Dombrandt all crossed in a dominant first quarter for the hosts.

Stormers, who came into the game undefeated this season, opted against playing a large number of their star Springboks.

Jason Gilmore’s side ended their poor run of form by bagging five first-half tries, with Chandler Cunningham-South and David also getting over.

Two more David scores were followed by a fine finish by Zach Carr, before Jarrod Evans finished the scoring.

Harlequins have endured a tough season, winning just four times from the past 15 matches in all competitions.

Their form resulted in a club statement being released last week which said recent results were “not considered acceptable by anyone within the club”.

Among a string of poor performances was a 10-try thrashing of a weakened Bayonne side in round two.

With Stormers, who are seen as possible contenders for the competition, prioritising last weekend’s derby win over Bulls, an opportunity to replicate that win over Bayonne appeared.

A strong early carry from centre Bryn Bradley, on his first European start, allowed Kenningham to power over on the next phase.

Marcus Smith’s chip-kick then brought a moment of fortune as it landed in the hands of Luke Northmore, who put Murley over.

Number eight Dombrandt was next to score as he cut a sharp line, with Cunningham-South grabbing the important bonus point.

Two of David’s finishes came off the back of brilliant free-flowing attacking play, with the third coming from a lucky loose pass, as the hosts rediscovered their point of difference.

Scrum-half Lucas Friday, 19, brought energy and tempo to the attack and was rewarded with a try-assist for Carr from a kick through.

Harlequins: Green; David, Northmore, Bradley, Murley; Smith, Friday; Kerrod, Walker, Delgado, Petti, Kieran Treadwell, Cunningham-South, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt).

Replacements: Turner, Hobson, H Williams, E Williams, Carr, Lawday, Green, Evans.

Stormers: Gelant; Maart, Hartzenberg, Willemse (capt), Burger; Matthee, Duvenage; Kebble, Vokozela, Porthen, Evans, Van Heerden, Nel, Dixon, Theunissen.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Geo), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)

European Challenge Cup

Zebre (13) 23

Tries: Fusco, Locatelli Cons: da Re 2 Pens: da Re 3

Ospreys (0) 19

Ospreys have qualified for the Challenge Cup knockout stages despite a 23-19 defeat by Zebre.

Mark Jones’ side gained the losing bonus point needed to secure a place in the last 16 but could not gain a third victory in the European tournament this season after previous bonus-point successes against Connacht and Montauban.

Zebre sealed victory with a late try from flanker Samuele Locatelli with outside-half Giacomo da Re kicking 13 points.

Ospreys scored tries through number eight Morgan Morse, centre Keiran Williams and fly-half Dan Edwards.

Zebre took control in the first-half with a try from scrum-half Alessandro Fusco and eight points from da Re.

Ospreys had a concerted amount of pressure but a potential try for Morse was ruled out after centre Williams was penalised for obstruction in the build-up.

The Italians led 13-0 at half-time with Ospreys withdrawing Wales captain Dewi Lake during the break for hooker Lewis Lloyd, who provided an impressive ball-carrying presence.

Morse gained his reward with an early second-half try before centre Williams scythed through the Zebre defence with Edwards’ conversion giving Ospreys the lead for the first time.

A third da Re penalty restored Zebre’s advantage before Edwards cantered over, following a floated pass from replacement scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams.

Zebre: Montemauri; Belloni, Bertaccini, Mazza, Gesi; da Re, Fusco; Buonfiglio, di Bartolomeo, Hasa, Canali, Krumov (capt), Bianchi, Locatelli, Ferrari.

Replacements: Quattrini, Franceschetto, Pieretto, Ortombina, Odiase, Dominguez, Zanon, Stavile.

Ospreys: Walsh; Hopkins, Boshoff, K Williams, Giles; D Edwards, Hardy; G Phillips, Lake (capt), Botha, Smith, Fender, Ratti, Deaves, Morse.

Replacements: L Lloyd, S Thomas, Hire, Daniel, G Evans, Morgan-Williams, Watkin, Kasende.

Referee: Griffin Colby (SA)

Assistants: Rob McDowell (Sco), Jack Macneice (Ire)

Poland won the United Cup title for the first time with victory over Switzerland, though they had to battle from behind after an opening singles defeat for world number two Iga Swiatek.

Former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic gave Switzerland the best possible start in Sydney with a 3-6 6-0 6-3 victory over Swiatek.

But Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz came through a thrilling three-set encounter in the men’s singles, levelling the tie with a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory over three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.

In the deciding mixed doubles, Polish pairing Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski maintained their 100% record in the tournament, beating Bencic and Jakub Paul 6-4 6-3 to clinch a 2-1 victory.

“Finally we have made it – third-time lucky… I mean, not lucky because we worked really hard,” said Swiatek about Poland’s win, following defeats by Germany and the United States in the 2024 and 2025 finals.

“I want to thank our team because this year I felt like it was such a team effort. I really felt the support. Even though my singles performance wasn’t perfect, you really got my spirits up and each of you believed to the end.”

It looked as though Poland might lose a third consecutive final when Bencic continued her winning singles record at the United Cup with her ninth victory, beating Swiatek to give Switzerland the lead in their first final.

But Hurkacz wrestled Poland back into the tie, maintaining his own fine form after returning to competition following seven months out injured, beating 40-year-old Warwinka in his final season on the tour.