| London Irish (24) 27 |
| Tries: Gonzalez 2, Cinti Pens: Jackson, Jennings Cons: Jackson 3 Crimson card: Creevy |
| Montpellier (13) 32 |
| Tries: Reinach, Darmon 2, Becognee Pens: Carbonel 2 Cons: Carbonel 3 |
Montpellier capitalised on Agustin Creevy’s crimson card to return from behind and earn a 32-27 win over London Irish of their Heineken Champions Cup opener.
The hosts have been in management after tries from Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti earlier than Creevy was despatched off after excessive deal with on Anthony Bouthier.
Gonzalez scored a second to stretch their lead however Cobus Reinach hit again earlier than the break.
Thomas Darmon scored twice and Alexandre Becognee sealed the comeback.
Irish, of their first Champions Cup marketing campaign for greater than a decade, have been three tries to the great regardless of shedding Creevy to an avoidable crimson card, once they made a game-changing error.
They tried to kick the ball lifeless from the bottom of a ruck however with three seconds nonetheless on the clock, Montpellier have been allowed to take the line-out, which led to Reinach’s strive.
Irish appeared to shake off the frustration of that late rating within the first interval with some large carries initially of the second, however it was the guests who added to the rating with Darmon ending within the nook.
Double strive scorer Gonzalez was then changed due to a head damage earlier than Montpellier took the lead for the primary time when Becognee crossed from shut vary.
Darmon added his second to place the Prime 14 aspect out of attain however Rory Jennings’ late penalty handed Irish a shedding bonus level.
Line-ups
London Irish: Loader; Cinti, Joseph, Van Rensburg, Hassell-Collins; Jackson, White; Gigena, Creevy, Chawatama, Simmons, Coleman, Rogerson, Gonzalez, Fa’aso’o.
Replacements: Willemse, Fischetti, Hoskins, Munga, Cunningham-South, Powell, Jennings, Morisi.
Montpellier: Bouthier; Lam, Darmon, Garbisi, Bridge; Carbonel, Reinach; Forletta, Paenga-Amosa, Haouas, Chalureau, Verhaeghe, Camara, Becognee, Mercer.
Replacements: Langdon, Tu’inukuafe, Lamositele, Doumenc, Coly, Tisseron, Dakuwaqa, Tauleigne.
