Montpellier overturn Bath lead with 22 unanswered points in Champions Cup win

Montpellier scored 22 unanswered second-half points to beat Bath 32-14 at The Rec in their Champions Cup Pool Four opener. Donovan Taofifenua supplied two of the visitors' four tries as they overturned a 14-10 interval deficit. BBC Sport reported that the result completed a Saturday of defeats for the English clubs in action, with Bath following Sale, Bristol and Saracens in losing their opening pool matches.

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Bath entered the European competition after scoring at least 33 points in each of their first three Premiership games this season, but their attack was unable to maintain that output. Max Ojomoh had an early try disallowed for a knock-on before Stuart Hogg scored the opening try for Montpellier. The hosts responded through Ollie Lawrence, who forced his way over in the corner, and Arthur Green, whose sidestep helped him cross for Bath's second.

Finn Russell converted both Bath tries, while an Adam Hastings penalty helped Montpellier stay within four points at the break. Bath had an opportunity to extend their advantage early in the second half, but Joe Cokanasiga could not gather a pass cleanly with the tryline in reach. Instead of increasing their lead, the hosts soon found themselves behind as Montpellier turned the match around.

Taofifenua scored in the corner to put the French side 15-14 ahead, and Hastings then added another penalty. After Montpellier resisted Bath's attack, Taofifenua intercepted a Russell pass around halfway and ran clear for his second try. That combination of defensive work and a breakaway score left Bath needing to recover a lead they had held at half-time.

The home side had another try ruled out when Josh Bayliss crossed, with an earlier infringement preventing the score from standing. Alex Becognee then scored from close range in the closing minutes to secure Montpellier's victory. Hastings finished with three conversions and two penalties for the visitors, who came into this season as the reigning Challenge Cup champions and last season's Top 14 runners-up.

Bath's remaining pool opponents are Cardiff, the Bulls and Stade Francais. Earlier on Saturday, the Bulls beat Stade Francais 56-20, scoring eight tries in a bonus-point victory that included a Cheswill Jooste hat-trick. Elsewhere in the opening round, Gloucester had drawn with defending champions Bordeaux on Friday. Leicester, Exeter and Northampton are scheduled to play on Sunday.