Northampton's Joe Ansbro stretches the Montpellier defence
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Matches: Northampton Saints 51 - 7 Montpellier

Teams: England | France | Montpellier | Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints notched their second successive European Challenge Cup victory with a 51-7 triumph over Montpellier in their Pool 2 clash at Franklin's Gardens.

The Saints hammered Toulon last weekend but it was Montpellier's turn to feel the power of the Guinness Premiership outfit at Franklin Gardens. First-half tries from Scott Gray, Joe Ansbro and a penalty try allowed the Saints to ease home with Chris Ashton gaining the bonus-point in the 56th minute.

Flanker Gray crashed over inside the opening two minutes and although Goncalo Uva responded for the visitors, Northampton extended their margin to 18-7 thanks to centre Ansbro's try.

Montpellier lost a men in either half with Julien Tomas red-carded for punching and Fabian Rofes for stamping. The hosts capitalised through a penalty try before Ashton's, Soane Tongauiha and Paul Diggen sealed victory.

Rovigo bounced back from a hammering by London Irish last weekend to grab their first win in Pool One with a 24-11 triumph over Dax.

Northampton (30) 51
Tries: S. Gray, Ansbro, Penalty, Ashton, Tonga'uiha, Diggin
Cons: Myler 4, Everitt 2
Pens: Myler 3.

Montpellier (7) 7
Tries: Uva
Cons: Todeschini.

Northampton: Reihana, Ashton, Ansbro, Downey, Lamont, Myler, Foden, Smith, Hartley, Murray, Fernandez Lobbe, Lawes, Hopley, S. Gray, Wilson.

Replacements: Diggin for Downey (70), Everitt for Myler (70), Dickson for Foden (65), Tonga'uiha for Smith (59), Shields for Hartley (64), Day for Hopley (52), Lewitt for S. Gray (71).

Montpellier: Sarramea, Brana, Smith, Lubbe, Alcalde, Todeschini, J. Tomas, Petit, Rofes, Douglas, Uva, Macurdy, Britz, Bost, Picamoles.

Replacements: Toleafoa for Smith (59), Mirande for Todeschini (49), van Staden for Petit (55), Goze for Uva (45), Caudullo for Britz (76), A. Tomas for Bost (63), Vallee for Picamoles (50).

Sin Bin: Caudullo (77).

Sent Off: J. Tomas (32), Rofes (74).

Att: 12,179

Ref: James Jones (WRFU).