Challenge Cup 2025/26 · Play-Offs
Montpellier
Connacht
GGL Stadium, Montpellier
Championship Standings
Montpellier sit 5th in the Top 14 with 57 points from 20 matches — firmly in the qualification playoff places. Connacht are 9th in the URC on 39 points from 14 matches, just outside the playoff spots but on a strong upward trajectory with five consecutive wins.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Toulouse | 20 | 15 | 5 | +357 | 71 |
| 2 |  Section Paloise | 20 | 13 | 7 | +77 | 59 |
| 3 |  Stade Français | 20 | 11 | 8 | +128 | 59 |
| 4 |  Bordeaux-Bègles | 20 | 12 | 8 | +136 | 59 |
| 5 |  Montpellier | 20 | 11 | 8 | +158 | 57 |
| 6 |  Clermont | 20 | 11 | 9 | +82 | 52 |
| 7 |  Racing 92 | 20 | 11 | 8 | −23 | 50 |
| 8 |  Castres | 20 | 10 | 10 | −69 | 47 |
| 9 |  La Rochelle | 20 | 9 | 11 | +67 | 45 |
| 10 |  Bayonne | 20 | 10 | 10 | −83 | 45 |
| 11 |  Toulon | 20 | 9 | 10 | −106 | 45 |
| 12 |  Lyon | 20 | 9 | 10 | +19 | 44 |
| 13 |  Perpignan | 20 | 5 | 15 | −155 | 23 |
| 14 |  Montauban | 20 | 1 | 18 | −588 | 7 |
Montpellier
W8, L2Montpellier are in devastating form. Eight wins from ten across both competitions. At the GGL Stadium they are a different beast: 53–13, 41–17, 44–7, 62–22 in recent home matches. They're averaging 38 points per game at home and their attack is prolific — 610 points scored in 20 Top 14 matches.
Connacht
W7, L3Connacht are on a remarkable six-match winning streak — including a statement win away at Ulster and a gritty 15–10 defeat of table-topping Glasgow. Their three losses were against Leinster (twice) and the agonising 33–31 defeat at this very ground in January. That loss will be a motivating factor.
Head-to-Head Record
1 – 0 – 0
Montpellier wins · Draws · Connacht wins (1 meeting this season)
Montpellier (1)These two met in the Challenge Cup pool stage in January at this same venue — a dramatic 33–31 Montpellier win. Connacht led for large parts and will feel they let it slip.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Challenge Cup | Montpellier 33–31 Connacht |
Average score in the last 6 meetings: Montpellier 33 – Connacht 31. The only previous meeting was decided by two points.
Extended Form
Montpellier15W, 1D, 8L
Top 14: W11 L8 D1 from 20 matches. Challenge Cup: W4 L0 plus the quarterfinal demolition of Perpignan (53–13). Key wins at home: Bayonne 62–22, Stade Français 44–7, Racing 92 41–17.
Montpellier are near-invincible at the GGL Stadium. Their +158 point differential is the second-best in the Top 14 despite sitting 5th — they're winning big at home and losing tight away.
Connacht10W, 7L
URC: W7 L7. Challenge Cup: W3 L1. Key results: beat Ulster away 26–19, beat Glasgow 15–10. Losses to Leinster (twice), Montpellier 33–31, Dragons 48–28.
Connacht's away record is their Achilles heel, but the recent run of six straight wins and the away win at Ulster suggest they can perform under pressure on the road.
Montpellier XV
Lineups not yet announced. Montpellier are expected to field a strong side off the back of their 53–13 demolition of Perpignan.
Connacht XV
Lineups not yet announced. Connacht will look to ride their six-match winning streak into Montpellier.
Key Matchups
Montpellier's Top 14 pedigree gives them an edge in the tight exchanges. The GGL Stadium factor amplifies everything. Connacht's best chance lies at the breakdown and in the half-back battle. If Connacht can disrupt Montpellier's lineout and slow the tempo, they can make this competitive.
Match Forecast
Montpellier's home record is decisive. They've put 40+ points on four opponents at the GGL Stadium this season. Their +158 point differential is the second-best in the Top 14, and their scoring power at home should prove too much for Connacht's defence.
That said, Connacht are dangerous. Their six-match winning streak includes an away win at Ulster and a scalp of league leaders Glasgow. The reverse fixture was a 33–31 thriller. But traveling to the south of France for a knockout game against a side in this kind of form is a brutal assignment.
Montpellier's home firepower edges a competitive knockout tie — but Connacht will make them sweat for it.