Montpellier vs Leinster Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Montpellier vs Leinster taking place? Montpellier vs Leinster will take place on Friday 17th December, 2021 at 20:00 (UK)
Where is Montpellier vs Leinster taking place? Montpellier vs Leinster will take place at GGL Stadium in Montpellier
Where can I get tickets for Montpellier vs Leinster? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Montpellier vs Leinster on in the UK? Montpellier vs Leinster will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Montpellier vs Leinster? BT Sport subscribers can stream Montpellier vs Leinster live on the BT Sport Player & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Montpellier: 15 Thomas Darmon, 14 Josua Vici, 13 Yvan Reilhac, 12 Pierre Lucas, 11 Gabriel N’gandebe, 10 Louis Foursans, 9 Gela Aprasidze, 8 Marco Tauleigne, 7 Kelian Galletier (c), 6 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Mickael Capelli, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Jeremie Maurouard, 1 Enzo Forletta
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Robert Rodgers, 18 Malik Hamadache, 19 Zach Mercer, 20 Aubin Eymeri, 21 Axel Bevia, 22 Karl Martin, 23 Tyler Duguid
Leinster: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Adam Byrne, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Ciarán Frawley, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Dan Leavy, 6 Max Deegan, 5 James Ryan (c), 4 Ryan Baird, 3 Andrew Porter, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Vakh Abdaladze, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Jack Dunne, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Tommy O’Brien, 23 Scott Penny
THE PREDICTION
Montpellier have been a true force in the Top 14 this season but taking on Exeter Chiefs on the road and hosting Leinster at home in their opening Champions Cup games was always going to be a struggle. They lost pretty heavily 42-6 away at Exeter last Saturday to snap a five-match winning streak and it looks set to get worse before it gets better with Pro14 champions Leinster coming off a 45-20 win at home to Bath. Leinster are unbeaten on the road so far but they have been less than their explosive best on occasions this season and taking them to cover a reduced -6 here, especially with Montpellier going so well, could be a suitably sensible move.