Montpellier Hérault delivered a measured comeback to overpower Zebre Parma in Round Two of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The two-time champions secured a 31-7 victory on Friday, moving to 2-0 in this season’s tournament.
The opening half belonged to the forwards from both teams, offering a gritty, physical battle. The hosts struck first, with Zebre Parma crossing after nine minutes through robust close-range propulsion. Montpellier, however, steadied the ship and took the lead before the half-time whistle. Mael Moustin created space, and Alex Masibaka finished a powerful driving maul from substantial distance to set the scoreline at the break.
Masibaka extended Montpellier’s advantage shortly after the hour, sandwiched between tries from Marco Tauleigne and Florian Verhaeghe, as the French side asserted control in the later stages.
In a late push, Zebre Parma’s pack looked to the finish line, with Franco Carrera seemingly over from a metre out. A meticulous TMO review quelled Italian hopes of a late consolation score.
Montpellier began the season with a strong statement, maintaining an undefeated start as they head into the Christmas break with two wins from two.
Teams:
Montpellier:
Tries: Moustin, Masibaka, Tauleigne, Masibaka, Verhaeghe
Con: Miotti 3
Zebre Parma:
Try: Licata
Con: Montemauri
Squads:
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)
