Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Montpellier beat Bath 32-14 in Champions Cup opener
Montpellier beat Bath 32-14 in the teams’ Champions Cup opener at Bath’s Recreation Ground.
Bath led at the break after tries from Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green, but Montpellier went ahead soon after half-time.
Taofifenua scored twice for the French side, including an interception try after Bath’s Finn Russell lost possession.
Alex Becognee added a late try to make the win safe.
Bath began their European campaign with a home defeat after reaching last season’s semi-finals.
Montpellier were last season’s beaten French Top 14 finalists and also won the Challenge Cup.
Bath’s remaining pool games are against Cardiff, the Bulls and Stade Français.
Bath need a couple of wins to reach the last 16, according to match coverage.
Montpellier beat Bath 32-14 at home in the opening round of the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup.
Bath led at half-time after tries by Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green.
Montpellier took the lead early in the second half when Taofifenua scored in the corner.
Taofifenua later intercepted a Finn Russell pass and scored again.
Alex Becognee scored late to secure Montpellier’s win, while a Bath try by Josh Bayliss was ruled out.
- Who
- Bath and Montpellier.
- What
- Montpellier beat Bath 32-14 in the Champions Cup opener.
- When
- Saturday, 17 October 2026; the match kicked off at 8pm UK time.
- Where
- Recreation Ground, Bath.
- Why
- Montpellier scored more points; the sources do not state a further reason.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Adam Hastings kicked a penalty as Montpellier stayed in touch with Bath.
Taofifenua scored to put Montpellier ahead 15-14.
Taofifenua intercepted a Finn Russell pass and scored his second try.
Josh Bayliss scored for Bath, but the try was disallowed because of an earlier infringement.
Alex Becognee scored for Montpellier to make it 32-14.
The match ended Bath 14, Montpellier 32.
- Final score
- Bath 14-32 Montpellier
- Competition
- 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup, Round One
- Venue
- Recreation Ground
- Bath try scorers
- Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green
- Montpellier try scorers
- Stuart Hogg, Taofifenua (two) and Alex Becognee
- Kick-off
- 8pm UK time, Saturday 17 October 2026
3 sources
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Quick feet from Arthur Green! 🙌 @BathRugby take the lead against Montpellier thanks to a brilliant step followed by the finish 🛁 #InvestecChampionsCup
Ollie Lawrence goes over! 🙌 @BathRugby get their first points of the game on the board 🛁 #InvestecChampionsCup