Taofifenua double powers Montpellier to 32-14 Champions Cup win at Bath

Montpellier overturned a half-time deficit to beat Bath 32-14 at The Rec in their opening Champions Cup Pool Four match. Donovan Taofifenua scored twice as the French visitors added 22 points after the interval without conceding, according to BBC Sport's match report by Phil Cartwright.

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Bath led 14-10 at the break but could not add to their two converted tries. The result contrasted with their attacking returns in the domestic league: they had scored at least 33 points in each of their first three Prem fixtures this season. Montpellier arrived as last season's Challenge Cup winners and beaten Top 14 finalists, and left with an away victory to start their European campaign.

The home side had an early Max Ojomoh try disallowed for a knock-on before Stuart Hogg scored the opening try for Montpellier. Bath responded through Ollie Lawrence, who crossed in the corner, and Arthur Green, whose sidestep took him past a defender for their second try. Finn Russell converted both, while an Adam Hastings penalty helped keep Montpellier within four points at half-time.

An opportunity to extend that advantage went unclaimed early in the second half when Joe Cokanasiga could not gather a pass near the tryline. Montpellier quickly capitalised, with Taofifenua finishing in the corner to put the visitors 15-14 ahead. Hastings then kicked another penalty, increasing the gap as Bath searched for their first points since the interval.

After Montpellier resisted a spell of pressure, Taofifenua intercepted Russell's pass near halfway and ran clear for his second try. Bath subsequently had a Josh Bayliss effort ruled out for an earlier infringement in the move. Alex Becognee completed the scoring of Montpellier's four tries with a close-range finish in the closing minutes; Hastings finished with three conversions and two penalties.

Bath's remaining pool opponents are Cardiff, Bulls and Stade Francais. In the other Pool Four match reported by the BBC on Saturday, Bulls defeated Stade Francais 56-20, scoring eight tries, including a Cheswill Jooste hat-trick. Bath also joined Sale, Bristol and Saracens in losing their opening fixtures on Saturday, after Gloucester had drawn with defending champions Bordeaux on Friday.