Montpellier defeat Dragons to set up Ulster final

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Montpellier lock Tyler DuGuid made his test debut for France against New Zealand, in July 2025 Tries: DuGuid, Bernadet Cons: Vincent Pens: Vincent 2 Montpellier booked a Challenge Cup final against Ulster by defeating Dragons at the Septeo Stadium. Tries from lock Tyler DuGuid and scrum-half Alexis Bernadet and eight points from Thomas Vincent's boot sealed a home win and a place in Europe's second-tier tournament finale in Bilbao on Friday, 22 May. Dragons responded with two tries from centre Aneurin Owen in a resilient performance. The Welsh side were defensively dogged but were starved of possession and territory for long periods and could not capitalise on limited attacking opportunities. The Dragons' exit has ended Welsh interest in this season's European tournaments but Filo Tiatia's side can be proud after enjoying a much improved season. It was a seventh successive win in this season's tournament for Montpellier and the French side are looking for a third Challenge Cup success. Dragons were the only Welsh team left in Europe as they played in a first Challenge Cup semi-final in 10 years and their fourth in total. Montpellier were the side who defeated Dragons a decade ago on the way to the first of two Challenge Cup titles. Dragons hooker Elliot Dee and full-back Angus O'Brien were the two survivors from that 2016 side. Montpellier were firm favourites as they currently sit third in the Top 14 league in France and celebrated an away win against Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles last weekend. Montpellier made 11 starting changes from the team that beat Bordeaux, including Wales lock Adam Beard, who was replaced in the Six Nations starting side by Dragons co-captain Ben Carter. Dragons almost produced a brilliant try in the opening minute after a well-worked line-out saw Owen released wing David Richards, but his wayward pass to flanker Thomas Young went awry with the Montpellier line begging to be breached. The hosts settled and Vincent slotted over the opening penalty. Vincent then almost collected his own chip before some fine covering work from Young, who followed this with a crucial turnover after the Dragons forwards had repelled a driving maul. Dragons appeared to have pierced the Montpellier defence through a Tinus de Beer break but his pass was intercepted by Australian full-back Tom Banks. The ball was shifted to Auguste Cadot but a brilliant piece of defence from retreating Wales wing Rio Dyer denied the home centre. Dragons' defence, under the tutelage of Dale Macleod and Dan Lydiate, has been much improved this season, epitomised by Dyer's character as he refused to give up on a seemingly lost cause. It only delayed the opening try with Banks involved again as lock DuGuid cantered over. Dragons were struggling on their own line-outs but encouraged by another incisive de Beer break and Owen turnover penalty. Richards epitomised the Dragons never-say-die attitude when he chased down a kick and forced Banks to lose possession over his own line. Richards and Owen pounced on the ball with the try awarded to the centre. Montpellier responded by asserting more dominance but Vincent failed to slot over a penalty, before Dragons co-captain O'Brien expertly snuffed out another probing home attack. Carter was penalised in a maul and Vincent made amends with the final kick of the half with his second penalty as Montpellier led 13-5 at the interval to typify the superiority in territory and possession. Montpellier's dominance, with number eight Lenni Nouchi and Bernadet particularly influential, continued in the early second-half exchanges but they were frustrated and repelled by the Dragons' dynamic defence. The visitors' lack of possession and attacking endeavour was not helped by a couple of wayward kicks. A rare Dragons attack demonstrated how fluent the Welsh side could be and yielded a yellow card for Montpellier replacement prop Nika Abuladze for a deliberate knock-on. Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright was denied from an attacking line-out as Dragons failed to make the extra player tell. There were question marks surrounding the Dragons' game management, while an uncharacteristic O'Brien error provided Montpellier with an attacking scrum. It proved a pivotal moment as a powerful Nouchi burst set up a deserved try for Bernadet, with Montpellier scoring despite being down to 14 players. Dragons again rallied and looked to Owen who burst over from a line-out move to give the visitors hope in the final seven minutes and set up a frantic finale. But Montpellier held on for victory as Dragons could not capitalise on their momentum. Dragons co-captain Angus O'Brien told S4C: "It was an unbelievable effort by the boys and we are gutted not to come away with the result. "To come out here and have an opportunity to win the game is testament to where we have come as a group this season. "We have to use that as fuel to kick on

Montpellier defeat Dragons to set up Ulster final

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