Montpellier and Leinster overturn half-time deficits in Champions Cup away wins

Montpellier and Leinster began their Champions Cup campaigns with away victories on Saturday, each turning a half-time deficit into a clear winning margin. Montpellier defeated Bath 32-14 at The Rec, while Leinster scored seven tries in a 48-23 success at Clermont. BBC Sport reported both results from the opening round of pool matches.

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Bath led 14-10 at the break after tries from Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green, with Finn Russell converting both. Stuart Hogg had opened Montpellier's scoring and Adam Hastings added a penalty before the interval. Bath also had a Max Ojomoh try disallowed for a knock-on, leaving their advantage at four points heading into the second half.

The visitors then scored 22 unanswered points. Joe Cokanasiga missed a chance to extend Bath's lead before Donovan Taofifenua crossed to put Montpellier ahead. Taofifenua later intercepted a Russell pass for his second try, and Alex Becognee added another late score. Bath had a Josh Bayliss effort ruled out for an earlier infringement and joined Sale, Bristol and Saracens in losing their opening fixtures.

At Stade Marcel-Michelin, Leinster were behind 16-15 at half-time despite tries from Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan. Clermont's first-half response combined a Joris Jurand try with 11 points from Harry Plummer's kicking. Leinster, four-time European champions, had selected numerous Ireland internationals for their Pool One opener.

Sam Prendergast changed the direction of the game shortly after the restart. The fly-half broke through and kicked towards Jimmy O'Brien, who controlled and collected the ball before returning it for Prendergast to score. A penalty try followed, with Clermont prop Nohem Ez Zahouany sent to the sin-bin, before Sheehan added his second try of the afternoon.

Mathys Belaubre scored for Clermont, but Jack Conan and Tommy O'Brien added late Leinster tries to complete the victory. Prendergast finished with 16 points. BBC Sport also reported that Conan left the stadium wearing an arm sling; the report did not establish the nature or severity of any injury.