Challenge Cup final: Leicester Tigers 17-18 Montpellier – Leicester miss out on European title

Leicester Tigers missed out on a first European trophy in 19 years as Montpellier edged a feisty Challenge Cup final at Twickenham.

Leicester’s powerful pack and some astute kicking by George Ford helped Harry Wells and Jasper Wiese cross from close range when Montpellier were down to 14 men, for a 17-10 lead.

But a penalty and a stunning Johannes Goosen try earned the French victory.

Only 10,000 supporters were allowed in to Twickenham following the easing of Covid restrictions, but despite only sparsely populating the imposing London venue the fans created a constant and surprisingly noisy atmosphere and the intensity was matched on the pitch.

Ford unable to drive Tigers home

England fly-half Ford’s tactical awareness had been pivotal as Tigers established a 17-10 lead and they looked set for a first Challenge Cup victory, despite trailing 10-3 early on.

Ford kicked Tigers ahead but Montpellier’s positive start was rewarded when winger Rattez showed some nifty footwork of his own to cross.

Rattez ran on to fellow France international Anthony Bouthier’s cute kick and stretched out his hand to touch down ahead of Matias Moroni.

But Ford’s nous and precision kicking kept creating good field position and, although he missed his next penalty, Tigers drew level after Montpellier had Alexandre Becognee sent to the sin-bin for collapsing a maul.

An increasingly dominant pack produced a mighty drive and, with the French in total disarray, Wells crashed over from close range.

Injuries to winger Guy Porter and Cyle Brink did little to interrupt Leicester’s flow and they led for the first time when Wiese bundled over from close range as the 14 men of Montpellier struggled to deal with the pace, power and dynamism of the Tigers forwards.

But the French recovered impressively and scored the try of the game to earn a second Challenge Cup title, five years on from their first success in the competition.

They recycled possession from left to right superbly following a breathtaking break by Bouthier, eventually creating space for Goosen to cut inside and touch down for the crucial score.

More to follow.

Leicester: Steward; Porter, Moroni, Kelly, Nadolo; Ford, Wigglesworth; Genge, T Youngs (capt), Cole, Wells, Green, Liebenberg, Brink, Wiese.

Replacements: Clare, De Bruin, Heyes, Henderson, Reffell, B Youngs, Henry, Murimurivalu.

Montpellier: Bouthier; Vincent, Goosen, Serfontein, Rattez; Lozowski, Paillaugue; Forletta, Guirado (capt), Haouas, Verhaeghe, Willemse, Ouedraogo, Camara, Becognee.

Replacements: B du Plessis, Rodgers, Lamositele, Duguid, J du Plessis, Reinach, Pollard, N’gandebe.

Sin-bin: Becognee, Guirado

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire).

Touch judges: Frank Murphy (Ire), Chris Busby (Ire).

TMO: Brian McNeice (Ire).