Ben Foden enjoyed 60 minutes at scrum-half in Montpellier
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Matches: Montpellier 24 - 28 Northampton Saints

Tournaments/Tours: European Challenge Cup | European Challenge Cup

Teams: England | Montpellier | Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints survived a second-half comeback from Montpellier to claim their fifth win of their European Challenge Cup campaign.

Saints were behind early on after Montpellier fly-half Francois Trinh Duc stroked over a penalty on a minute, but soon grabbed the initiative when Mayor bounced through some flimsy tackling to cross for the opening try of the game after six minutes. Myler added the conversion and the hosts' misery increased when flanker Jerome Vallee was shown a yellow card for throwing a punch at Mayor.

Myler added a second score after some patient phase play by the Saints forwards, taking a pass from Foden and offering a show-and-go to the home defence before darting over.

Much attention pre-game was focused on new England EPS member Ben Foden, who had been switched to scrum-half following some fine performances at fullback in recent weeks. Foden showed some quick thinking and electric pace in two breaks that split the Montpellier defence, but his distribution looked a little rusty early on after so much time spent at 15.

Montpellier enjoyed a big spell of pressure just before half-time, putting in phase upon phase in front of the Saints' line. The away side's defence held firm with prop Soane Tonga'uiha putting in an impressive performance around the fringes.

Montpellier exploded into life in the second half, with Frikkie Welsh and France No.8 Louis Picamoles crossing within minutes of each other to give their side the lead. Saints fly-half Stephen Myler drew them ahead again with a penalty, but missed another to leave only a single-point advantage heading past the hour mark.

Scotland wing Sean Lamont secured the points for Northampton with a stunning late try, but it was Montpellier who had the last say when Grant Rees pounced on a handling error to score under the posts.

Montpellier: J Alcalde; J Boussuge, F Welsh, S Mirande, S Kuzbik; F Trinh-Duc, J Tomas; P Van Niekerk, F Rofes, B Douglas, G Uva, M Macurdy, V Bost, J Vallée, L Picamoles

Replacements: J Caudullo, P Toleafoa, B Goze, D Chouchan, A Tomas, R Lubbe, G Rees

Northampton: B Reihana [capt]; C Ashton, J Clarke, C Mayor, P Diggin; S Myler, B Foden; S Tongauiha, D Hartley, B Stewart, C Day, J Kruger, M Easter, S Gray, M Hopley

Replacements: P Shields, T Smith, I Fernandez Lobbe, C Lawes, L Dickson, C Spencer, S Lamont

Referee: Peter Allen (Scotland)