Watch: Aaron Cruden almost ended Montpellier's playoffs hopes before a tighthead prop saved the day

Montpellier kept their hopes of making the TOP14 playoffs alive on Sunday as claimed a bonus point victory over Stade Francais. 

La Rochelle's loss to Lyon on Saturday meant that Montpellier had the chance to leapfrog La Rochelle into a playoff spot.

And Vern Cotter's men were well on their way to doing so as his side lead 35-20 after 74 minutes before Aaron Cruden made a costly mistake that could have cost them a playoff spot.

Stade Francais were attacking inside the Montpellier half before they conceded a penalty. Opting to kick to touch the 50 test cap All Black failed to find touch and Stade Francais pounced and scored through winger Lester Etien. 

Thankfully for Cruden, Montpellier were able to regain the kick off before reserve tighthead prop Mohamed Haouas sliced through the defence to score under the posts to regain the bonus point with time up on the clock. (Reminder that in the TOP14 a team is required to score three tries more than the opposition to get a bonus point rather than scoring four tries like in the Premiership and PRO14).

Montpellier face the tough task of visiting the Stade Marcel Michelin in the final round of the regular season while La Rochelle host Bordeaux. 

In the context of Champions Cup rugby next season, Sale Sharks need La Rochelle to finish 6th overall (currently held by Montpellier). If Montpellier finish 6th they claim a place in the Champions Cup while La Rochelle qualify as the losing finalist of the Challenge Cup.