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Gloucester narrowly beaten in Montpellier despite red card sending-off
Gloucester fell just short of what would have been a memorable win to lose 30-27 to 14-man Montpellier in a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup clash at Altrad Stadium.
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The Cherry and Whites were beaten at home by Toulouse in round one and despite an entertaining performance and tries from Callum Braley, Matt Banahan and Joe Simpson, failed to make the most of a second-half red card for Montpellier lock Jacques du Plessis.
The French team’s efforts came from Jan Serfontein, Caleb Timu and Nemani Nadolo, while Benoit Paillaugue kicked 15 points as they defied the loss of Du Plessis to bounce back from a loss to Connacht.
Gloucester took home a losing bonus point, but it could have been so much more.
The visitors were forced into a late change with Banahan replacing Jason Woodward at full-back due to a groin injury, in what was a second string Cherry and White outfit.
Visiting centre Billy Twelvetrees had a nightmare start with two early spills in a scrappy, fast-paced opening before Paillaugue’s penalty got the scoreboard moving.
Montpellier moved further clear with a 22nd minute try from Serfontein after he collected Yvan Reilhac’s kick ahead to score. The try was given by the TMO and Paillaugue converted.
Gloucester were keen to run the ball on every occasion and fly-half Lloyd Evans made a fine break down the centre which ended with Twelvetrees kicking a simple penalty.
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Montpellier’s giant forwards were dominant at the scrum but Gloucester had themselves to blame as they tried to run clear – only to make mistakes.
Expect Racing 92 to be very angry…https://t.co/O2TmSoWBIW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 24, 2019
It gave the French side the platform from which number eight Timu crashed over from a scrum into which Gloucester had the put-in. Paillaugue improved the effort.
Evans made a second great break and passed inside to half-back partner Braley, who dived for the line to give Gloucester a lifeline. Twelvetrees’ kick was successful.
Wing Nadolo had a try ruled out for an earlier knock-on after he crashed onto the ball on an unstoppable line but Montpellier still had the advantage and opted for a scrum.
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After a series of set-pieces, Nadolo powered over again and this time the score was given.
Horrid. https://t.co/dj5ryBxNZK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 24, 2019
Paillaugue converted in the 47th minute of the first half to make it 24-10 at the break.
Gloucester’s second half started with a bang as Banahan crashed over following some fine phase play and Twelvetrees narrowed the deficit further before Paillaugue kicked a penalty.
The momentum of the game then changed even further when Montpellier lock Du Plessis needlessly elbowed Gerbrandt Grobler in the head in a maul and was rightly sent off, giving Gloucester a man advantage for the final 24 minutes.
Twelvetrees exchanged penalties with Paillaugue as both teams unloaded their benches and with five minutes to go Gloucester went the length of the field via two clever kicks.
Replacement scrum-half Simpson was the one to dive over. Evans took over the kicking duties after Twelvetrees substitution and nailed the conversion – but Montpellier held on.
– PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments