Connacht draw Montpellier in Second Round of Challlenge Cup

It’s Connacht in the Challenge Cup, so it must be opponents from the South of France. This time it’s Montpellier, who lie two places and five points ahead of first round opponents Narbonne.

It’s Connacht in the Challenge Cup, so naturally they have drawn opponents from the South of France. This time it’s Montpellier, who lie two places and five points ahead of first round opponents Narbonne.

The first leg of the tie will be played at home on Saturday 3rd December, 2.30 pm, with the reverse fixture on the 10th in France.

Connacht have retained their top 4 seeding and, if the draw were to work out according to that seeding system, would play the high-flying Sale Sharks in the semi-final.

However, given that Montpellier lie in ninth position in the tough French Top 16 League, there is a lot of water to be passed between now and then (as Sam Goldwyn might say!).

Montpellier have won four and lost four of their league games to date, leaving them but a point behind Biarritz, so the challenge facing Connacht is considerable.

The French side are the holders of the European Challenge Shield, beating Viadana of Italy in last year’s final. They are also the latest home of Gregor Townsend and beat Rovigo 51-7 in their first round.