Montpellier dump Connacht out of Challenge Cup

European Challenge Cup quarter-final

Montpellier (26) 45

Tries: Penalty try, Tolofua, Haouas, Miotti, Cadot, Price, Welsch, Cons: Miotti (2), Vincent (2)

Connacht (8) 22

Tries: Tierney-Martin, Naughton, Aungier Cons: Gilbert (2) Pens: Gilbert

Montpellier ended Connacht's six-game winning run as they picked up a 45-22 victory at the Septeo Stadium to progress to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Stuart Lancaster's side trailed 26-8 at the break in France with ill-discipline contributing to the deficit as Connacht received three yellow cards in the first half.

Montpellier capitalised by scoring four first-half tries and they added three in the second period to ease to victory.

They will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Zebre and Dragons in the last four in May.

Montpellier too strong for Connacht

Sam Gilbert kicked an early penalty to put Connacht ahead on three minutes before Montpellier hit back when they were awarded a penalty try three minutes later following a five-metre maul.

Things went from bad to worse to Connacht when they were reduced to 13 men for a spell as both Dylan Tierney-Martin and Shamus Hurley-Langton were shown yellow cards.

Montpellier took full advantage and added a second try on 14 minutes through Christopher Tolofua.

Returning to full complement, Connacht battled back and reduced the deficit when Tierney-Martin finished off a free-flowing move in the corner.

Mohamed Haouas and Domingo Miotti then crossed before the break with Shayne Bolton also shown a yellow card for Connacht, as Montpellier went in with a comfortable half-time lead.

Sean Naughton then cut the gap for Lancaster's side soon after the restart as he crossed under the posts, but again Montpellier responded to re-establish their healthy advantage.

Auguste Cadot scored the pick of the tries for the hosts on 52 minutes as he weaved his way through a number of challenges before racing over with Ali Price adding a sixth by diving over the line from close range to all but secure the win.

Jack Aungier scored a late consolation try for Connacht before Valentin Welsch rounded off the scoring with a last-minute score for Montpellier.

Montpellier: Banks; Taofifenua, Cadot, Anyanwu, Echegaray; Miotti, Price; Erdocio, Tolofua, Haouas, Verhaeghe, DuGuid; Camara, Becognee, Vunipola (capt)

Replacements: Akrab, Forletta, Welsch, Tauleigne, Nouchi, Rates, T Vincent, A Vincent

Connacht: Gilbert; Bolton, Forde, Aki, Mullins; Naughton, M Devine; Bohan, Tierney-Martin, Illo; Joyce, Murray; Prendergast (c), Hurley-Langton, Boyle

Replacements: Victory, Dooley, Aungier, J Murphy, O'Brien, B Murphy, Carty, J Devine