Match Report: 14-man London Irish beaten by Montpellier
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London Irish saw hooker Agustin Creevy sent off as their Heineken Champions Cup return ended in a 32-27 defeat to Montpellier Hérault Rugby at Gtech Community Stadium on Friday.
Tries from centre Thomas Darmon (2), scrum-half Cobus Reinach and flanker Alexandre Becognee, plus 12 points from the boot of fly-half Louis Carbonel, were enough to secure a bonus-point win for the TOP 14 champions.
Irish, who led by 11 points at one stage having crossed through flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez (2) and wing Lucio Cinti Luna, were left with a daunting task after Creevy was show red for a high tackle on 33 minutes.
After a tentative start from both sides, a penalty from fly-half Paddy Jackson opened the scoring for Irish before Carbonel hit back for Montpellier, slotting two from three efforts to put the visitors ahead by 22 minutes.
However, the game swung in Irish’s favour shortly after as Montpellier prop Enzo Forletta was sin-binned for dragging down a maul close to his own line, and Gonzalez then powered over from close range.
A second try came as Irish capitalised on their extra man, with Cinti Luna finishing off a superb move, Jackson’s second conversion moving them 11 points clear.
The break from Hassell-Collins 🤩
The pass from Creevy 👀
The finish from Cinti 🙌@londonirish turn on the style in West London 👏#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/ffr6jc0VeG
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 9, 2022
Irish were initially undeterred following Creevy’s dismissal, notching a third try as Gonzalez streaked over in the corner for his second of the evening.
Montpellier ended the half on a high as Reinach sneaked over for their first try of the game, Carbonel adding the extras to reduce the deficit to 11 points once again.
Although Irish enjoyed a promising start to the second half, Montpellier would find a second score on 53 minutes as a slick move put Darmon over out wide, Carbonel converting again.
And the visitors continued to grind Irish down, taking lead through Becognee’s try with just over an hour played before Darmon cruised over for his second of the game.
Irish ensured they took a losing bonus point from the opening round as Rory Jennings slotted a late penalty.
In Round 2 a week on Saturday, London Irish travel to Cape Town to play DHL Stormers at 17:30 (All UK & Irish time), with Montpellier hosting Ospreys at 20:00.
