Trio of Scots drive Montpellier to victory at Rec
Adam Hastings and two other Scots inspired Montpellier to a surprise 32-14 Investec Champions Cup victory over Bath at the Rec.
And Hastings’ performance earned the approval of his fellow Scotland stand-off and Bath counterpart Finn Russell, who interrupted the Montpellier man’s post-match interview to invite him for a beer.
Hastings dictated play and kicked 12 points for the French outfit, while former Scotland captain and full-back Stuart Hogg scored the game’s first try and scrum-half Ali Price played 70 minutes.
Current Scotland No 10 Russell played the full match for Bath, but was unable to inspire the hosts, while two Scotland internationalists in centre Cam Redpath and back-rower Josh Bayliss came on for Johan van Graan’s side.
Hastings moved to Montpellier from Glasgow Warriors earlier this summer and his influential display in European rugby’s blue-riband competition was timely given that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend names his squad for the autumn Nations Championship matches against New Zealand, Australia and Japan on Tuesday.
The 34-times capped 30-year-old played with flair and dynamism, creating attacks with offloads, and admitted afterwards that he is loving life in France - before Russell summoned him for a drink during his Premier Sports interview.
‘I think I need a new lung’
“I wasn’t enjoying it around 60 minutes,” laughed Hastings. “ I think I needed a new lung! Bath are a brilliant team. They came out of the gates hot. I think we just tried to play a bit too much in the first half ... sorry, Finn’s just invited me for a beer! ... and then we went into our power game. Our pack were unbelievable and our backs had a few nice touches as well.
“It’s good. It’s very different, but it’s also very similar. The language barrier is something I need to get used to - Pricey has been helping me out with that. I’m really enjoying my time over here. What a team to be a part of.”
This is Price’s second season with Montpellier and he hailed the Top 14 side for bouncing back from being 14-10 down at half time.
“I’m very proud of the boys,” said Price afterwards. “We stuck in. It was close at half time. We feel like we weathered a bit of a storm there and in the second half we played in the right parts of the field. We capitalised on the mistakes I feel we forced on Bath.”
Bath had led 14-10 at the interval after Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green both scored tries following Hogg’s opener. However, Joe Cokanasiga then wasted a golden opportunity to extend Bath’s advantage after the interval and the French side capitalised.
Donovan Taofifenua crossed in the corner to hand Montpellier the lead before he then intercepted Russell’s pass to deliver a quickfire double.
Alex Becognee made the points safe for the visiting side after Bayliss’ try for Bath was ruled out because of an earlier infringement.
Bath reached the semi-final of the Investec Champions Cup last year and will now look to regroup, with matches away to Cardiff and the Bulls plus another home match against French opposition in Stade Francais.