Montpellier Hérault asserted their dominance over Zebre Parma in a Challenge Cup clash, overturning a deficit to secure a convincing 31-7 victory in Round Two. The two-time champions strengthened their unbeaten start to the season, moving to two wins from two as the Christmas break approaches.
The first half unfolded as a forwards’ battle, with both teams testing each other close to the breakdown. It was Zebre Parma who struck first, nine minutes in, propelled by cohesive forward play from close range to cross the line.
But Montpellier responded before halftime, finding their rhythm and taking the lead after Mael Moustin created an opportunity and Alex Masibaka finished a powerful driving maul from well out.
Masibaka struck again just after the hour mark, sandwiched between tries from Marco Tauleigne and Florian Verhaeghe, sealing Montpellier’s ascendancy as the backs began to find more space.
In the closing stages, Zebre’s pack pressed for a lifeline. Franco Carrera thought he had ground out a score from a metre out, but the TMO intervened to extinguish the hopeful consolation.
Montpellier’s early-season form was a clear statement of intent, helping them head into the festive period with two wins from two matches.
Teams:
Montpellier:
Tries: Moustin, Masibaka, Tauleigne, Masibaka, Verhaeghe
Con: Miotti 3
Zebre Parma:
Try: Licata
Con: Montemauri
Lineups:
Montpellier: 15 Thomas Vincent, 14 Gabriel N’Gandebe, 13 Thomas Darmon, 12 Auguste Cadot, 11 Mael Moustin, 10 Stuart Hogg, 9 Leo Coly, 8 Alex Masibaka, 7 Jordan Uelese (captain), 6 Marco Tauleigne, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Luka Japaridze, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Nika Abuladze.
Replacements: 16 Lyam Akrab, 17 Enzo Forletta, 18 Valentin Welsch, 19 Tyler DuGuid, 20 Solomon Shand, 21 Ali Price, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Jules Ducros.
Zebre Parma:
15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Malik Faissal, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Albert Batista, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Migael Prinsloo, 8 Giovanni Licata (captain), 7 Jacopo Bianchi, 6 Giacomo Milano, 5 Alessandro Ortombina, 4 Guido Volpi, 3 Matteo Nocera, 1 Paolo Buonfiglio.
Replacements: 16 Shilo Klein, 17 Muhamed Hasa, 18 Riccardo Genovese, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Davide Ruggeri, 21 Nikolaj Varotto, 22 Martin Roger Farias, 23 Enrico Lucchin.
Officials: Referee – Peter Martin (Ireland); Assistant referees – Keane Davison (Ireland), Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland); TMO – Mark Patton (Ireland).
If you’re following the Cup closely, did Montpellier’s pace of phases and scoring four tries signal a new era for their attacking game, or was Zebre simply outmatched by a sharper, more experienced side? Share your thoughts and predictions for the rest of the tournament in the comments.
