Lions fall short in Challenge Cup as late surge hands Montpellier victory

The result leaves Ivan van Rooyen's men in fifth place in their group and out of the top-four qualifying spots - although a victory over the Dragons back home at Ellis Park next week will still see them advance.

The Lions were competitive for a large part of Saturday's game in Montpellier, holding the hosts to a single converted try from lock Marco Tauleigne in the first half.

And when fullback Quan Horn went over for the visitors in the 47th minute to make it 7-5, it looked like the Lions were going to make a game of it.

But Montpellier finished much the stronger of the two teams, taking full advantage of a yellow card to lock Etienne Oosthuizen moments after Horn's try.

That card knocked the stuffing out of the Lions, with Montpellier scrumhalf Alexis Bernadet crossing the whitewash twice in the space of seven minutes before No 8 Sam Simmonds put the result beyond question with their fourth score seven minutes from time.

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