European Rugby Champions Cup: Toulouse squeeze past Montpellier

Toulouse continued their recent revival with a 30-23 victory over Montpellier in the opening round of the new European Rugby Champions Cup.

Yoann Huget bagged a brace of tries for the hosts at Stade Ernest Wallon but it was Jean-Marc Doussain's score in the 65th minute that proved crucial in deciding the outcome of the all-Top 14 clash on Sunday.

Montpellier, now without the services of Francois Trinh-Duc after the France international suffered a broken leg, crossed once in each half, Samisoni Viriviri marking his debut with a fine finish to get their first.

His effort was bettered after the interval by a fabulous solo try from centre Wynand Olivier in the left corner, putting Fabien Galthie's side 17-13 ahead at the time despite them having man in the sin-bin.

They were unable to cling on to the lead but at least grabbed a losing bonus point for their efforts when replacement Benoit Paillaugue knocked over a penalty with the last kick of an entertaining Pool 4 game.

Still, Toulouse will be happy enough to have started their bid for a fifth European title on a successful note, in doing so making it three wins on the spin in all competitions after beating Stade Francais and Toulon in domestic action.

Tremendous burst

They looked set to be trailing at the break when scrum-half Teddy Iribaren followed up his early penalty by converting the try from Viriviri, who showed a tremendous burst of speed to get free down the left, making it 10-3 to Montpellier.

Toulouse, though, hit back with a second penalty from Luke McAlister before edging ahead on the stroke of half time when Huget won the foot race to a grubber kick to the right corner.

Montpellier's cause was not helped by the sin-binning of Iribaren pulling back an opponent in the 49th minute, yet they re-took the lead with 14 men whn Oliver tip-toed his way down the left touchline before diving over by the flag.

Huget put Toulouse ahead again, catching a kick to the right on the full before weaving past two tacklers, but an Iribaren penalty after the sin-binning of Census Johnston for a shoulder charge levelled matters at 20 apiece.

The scores were not level for too long, however, as scrum-half Doussain collected his own chip over the top to cross on the left.

Toby Flood - on for McAlister at fly-half - converted and added a further penalty to open up a 10-point cushion, although Montpellier, who host Glasgow next week, got back to within seven thanks to sub Paillaugue holding his nerve.