Montpellier leave Biarritz sweating

Montpellier secured their place in the French Top 14 championship play-offs with a 21-16 win over Biarritz Friday, a result which leaves the Basque club sweating on their top flight survival.

Montpellier’s 14th win of the campaign moved them up one place to third at the expense of Toulon, who face already-qualified semifinalists Toulouse on Saturday.

The result means Montpellier, who face Toulouse on the final day of the championship, can envisage playing their first play-off match at home.

Beaten finalists last season, Montpellier slipped to 11th place after nine matches earlier this campaign – when 11 of their players were on World Cup duty – but are back in contention thanks to 12 wins from their last 16 games.

Biarritz, who were without key players Dmitri Yachvili and Imanol Harinordoquy, picked up a bonus point but now sit eighth on 46 points meaning they need to beat Stade Francais next week to guarantee their top flight survival.

AFP