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Montpellier reach first European semifinal

By
Saturday 9 Apr 2016

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.

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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:

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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.

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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

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