Montpellier reach first European semifinal
Jake White's Top 14 side will face either Gloucester or Newport Gwent Dragons in April for a place in the championship match after handing English side Sale a first home loss of the season in the tournament.
The reliable boot of Benoit Paillaugue proved crucial for Montpellier as he kicked five second half penalties to help turn round an 10-11 half-time deficit.
England flyhalf Danny Cipriani kicked two first half penalties to add to wing Tom Brady's try.
Montpellier, on a run of six successive wins in the French Top 14, had also grabbed a first period try through Paul Willemse.
But Paillaugue's deadly boot was enough for Montpellier despite a late try for Sam James.
On Saturday, as well as Gloucester's clash with Newport-Gwent, the other quarterfinals will feature Grenoble against Connacht and Harlequins taking on London Irish.
The scorers:
For Sale:
Tries: Brady, James
Pens: Cipriani 3
For Montpellier:
Try: Willemse
Con: Paillaugue
Pens: Paillaugue 6
Teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Sam James, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Nev Edwards, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 TJ Ioane, 7 Magnus Lund (captain), 6 Cameron Neild, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Lewis Roberts, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Jonathan Mills, 20 David Seymour, 21 James Mitchell, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings.
Montpellier: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Anthony Tuitavke, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Benjamin Fall, 10 Benjamin Lucas, 9 Benoit Paillaugue, 8 Akapusi Qera, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 5 Thibaut Privat, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 2 Bismarck Du Plessis, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Davit Kubriashvili, 19 Robins Tchale Watchou, 20 Kelian Galletier, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Anthony Floch.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Gary Conway (Ireland)
TMO: Kilgore Marshall (Ireland)
Agence France-Presse
