Clash of the Challenge Cup Titans: Leicester vs Montpellier

The final of the Challenge Cup will be a hot contest between the men of Leicester and those of Montpellier.  

Leicester ousted Ulster in the semi-final to gain entrance into the grand showpiece, but it was no walkover. Ulster looked strong in the match, jogging off to the shed with a 17-6 lead but Leicester emerged from the half-time break with teeth and claws bared and proceeded to add 27 points to their tally, proving too much for their Irish counterparts in the end. 

A great defensive effort against Bath granted Montpellier passage into the final. It was a valiant display by Bath who spent much time in Montpellier’s territory but could not penetrate the latter’s defence to swing the scoreboard in their favour. 

While Leicester and Montpellier have never met in the Challenge Cup, they have met twice in the Champions Cup – in 2013-14 – with the English outfit winning on both occasions. 

This will be Leicester’s first appearance in the Challenge Cup final, although they are no novices when it comes to European competition, having played in a total of five Champions Cup finals (winning 2 and losing 3). 

It will be Montpellier’s second final in the Challenge Cup. In their first such outing, they defeated Harlequins 26-19 to claim the 2015-16 title. 

Based on current form, Montpellier will take some beating this weekend as they boast a powerful, nine-match winning going into the game – a record that is more than double their previous best. 

Leicester, however, are also carrying an impressive record, having won 10 of their last 12 Challenge Cup outings. Interestingly, however, both the losses were against French opposition. 

Montpellier’s defence has truly been something to behold.  They have conceded just 18.7 points and 0.7 tries per game in the Challenge Cup this season, fewer than any other club, although they have conceded the most penalty goals on average (4.7). 

Leicester will have to be sharp in the lineouts as Montpellier’s Florian Verhaeghe has stolen five opposition throws in the Challenge Cup in 2020/21, over twice as many as any other player. 

Leicester flanker George Martin has topped the tackle count for the competition thus far which a total of 54. Martins rival on the weekend, however, Yacouba Camara, boasts a 100% tackle record going into the final (33/33). 

Montpellier’s defence will be tested by the bullocking runs of Leicester number 8, Jasper Wiese, who has played himself into the Springbok conversation this season ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour. Wiese has made the most carries, offloads and beaten the most defenders of any other player in the competition and will take some stopping with the motivation of the title so close at hand. 

Friday’s final has all the makings of a grand spectacle with two teams who have given great value to the Challenge Cup competition.