Summary

  • Ospreys v Montpellier 20:00 GMT

  • Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 of the Challenge Cup

  • Ospreys have made 13 personnel changes, with only James Fender and Jack Walsh surviving from the defeat by Zebre

  1. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Ospreys 7-14 Montpellier

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    Ospreys will be annoyed at themselves for that try.

    They're a little flat for a home game in Europe. The atmosphere can easily build in games like this and they have to use that to fire themselves up a little bit.

  2. As things standpublished at 26 mins

    Ospreys 7-14 Montpellier

    Connacht are 14-0 up on Montauban and you'd expect them to get a five-point haul.

    As things stand Ospreys are staring at finishing fourth in the group and having a tough away task in the last 16.

    Long way to go, though.

  3. try

    Converted try: Ospreys 7-14 Montpellierpublished at 21 mins

    Ducros try, Hogg con

    That is a poor one to concede.

    Ospreys clear their lines with a kick towards touch but it holds up in the wind and is slapped back by the hosts.

    However, it is gathered by Marco Tauleigne and wing Jules Ducros goes over from Alexis Bernadet's inside pass.

    Hogg adds the extras.

    Jules Ducros of Montpellier goes over for a tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  4. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Ospreys 7-7 Montpellier

    Montpellier put the pressure on again but turn the ball over in the 22.

    Number eight Langi Gleeson is lying down in pain and is close to a ruck so ref Federico Vedovelli blows up.

    They are treating his left leg after it seemed to get trapped under a body in the tackle.

    He is helped from the field and Solomon Shand, a former England age-grade international who was on Gloucester's books, joins the action.

  5. Postpublished at 19 mins

    Ospreys 7-7 Montpellier

    Good exit by Ospreys and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams.

    Meanwhile, it's currently 7-0 to Connacht against Montauban in the other game in the group (which could impact Ospreys' final placing).

  6. Postpublished at 16 mins

    Ospreys 7-7 Montpellier

    Ospreys can't keep putting themselves under pressure with indiscipline in their own half.

    They are penalised, Hogg boots to the 22 and forces Ospreys to defend impressively on their line.

    The hosts survive this one thanks to good maul defence but need to keep Montpellier at arm's length.

  7. Perfect responsepublished at 15 mins

    Ospreys 7-7 Montpellier

    Shane Williams
    Former Wales international on S4C

    Cokanasiga gives a lovely, fast offload to Watkin who comes off the right foot and goes under the posts.

    That's the way to respond.

  8. try

    Converted try: Ospreys 7-7 Montpellierpublished at 11 mins

    Watkin try, Walsh con

    Great response by Ospreys and it's a slick move off line-out ball.

    Terrific combination play by the centres with Phil Cokanasiga's neat pass putting Owen Watkin on the run in the 22 and he finishes excellently by side-stepping the last man.

    One for Steve Tandy to enjoy ahead of the Six Nations.

    Jack Walsh adds the extras and it's level-pegging.

    Owen Watkin dives over for OspreysImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  9. Bridgend boo boyspublished at 11 mins

    Ospreys 0-7 Montpellier

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales at Brewery Field, Bridgend

    Montpellier's Stuart Hogg in the warm-up at OspreysImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Scotland and British Irish Lions full-back Stuart Hogg is lining up at fly-half for Montpellier tonight.

    Hogg has been in the news recently for matters other than rugby. Tonight he is getting booed every time he touches the ball.

  10. try

    Converted try: Ospreys 0-7 Montpellierpublished at 6 mins

    Masibaka try, Hogg con

    First blood to the French.

    Montpellier kick successive penalties to the corner and strike through flanker Alex Masibaka from close range.

    Stuart Hogg, who is getting plenty of jeers, converts superbly from the right.

    Alex Masibaka scores for MontpellierImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  11. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Ospreys 0-0 Montpellier

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    Montpellier have got a big pack, they'll put pressure on you try and force penalties. That's how they've been playing in France.

    So, the Ospreys have got to soak up the pressure of Montpellier and use a bit of speed and imagination to get themselves on the front foot.

  12. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Ospreys 0-0 Montpellier

    Scrappy start with knock-ons galore and then a lengthy attempt to get things restarted at the scrum.

    Ospreys will need to stand firm at the set piece this evening against hefty French opposition.

  13. Kick-offpublished at 20:00 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys 0-0 Montpellier

    Federico Vedovelli blows his whistle and Montpellier fly-half Stuart Hogg gets the game under way, kicking in the direction of Bridgend town centre.

  14. Mark Jones 'sensible with selection'published at 19:59 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 GMT)

    Sioned Harries
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    I think Mark Jones is just being sensible with the changes tonight, they are already through to the next round in Europe. Of course with a bonus point win they could hopefully finish top.

    But of course there's two very important home URC matches coming up so it's very important they win those before they lose their international players.

    So I think he's just being sensible with the team selection tonight.

  15. The other Welsh sidespublished at 19:59 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 GMT)

    Dragons' Rio Dyer and Brodie Coghlan celebrate after the win against NewcastleImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Great news for Dragons tonight.

    Filo Tiatia's side won impressively against Newcastle last night (read about that here) to move to within touching distance of the last 16.

    A draw between Perpignan and Lions with both sides scoring four tries would have knocked them out.

    The spoils were shared but neither side got a bonus, so Dragons finish third in Pool Two.

    They will travel to the runner-up with the best points tally and that is guaranteed to be Stade Francais.

    Scarlets are staring at European elimination after Bulls won in Pau on Friday night.

    Nigel Davies' side need to stun Northampton tomorrow to progress to the knockout stages.

    If they do it with a bonus point then they will sneak into the last 16 of the Champions Cup while a four-point haul would earn a Challenge Cup spot.

    They've got a fighting chance but a Scarlets win would be a huge upset.

    Meanwhile, Cardiff are playing for home advantage tomorrow when taking on Exeter. The winners will finish third in the pool and be seeded seventh or eighth.

  16. Postpublished at 19:57 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 GMT)

    Ifan Phillips
    Former Scarlets and Ospreys hooker on S4C

    The two teams are very familiar with each other and usually we are spoilt with tries when they do come up against each other.

    From an Ospreys perspective, the aim will be to get full points - so four tries and a victory and hopefully finish at the top of the table.

  17. Look who's back!published at 19:55 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 GMT)

    Adam Beard chats to Jack WalshImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Adam Beard has travelled with Montpellier tonight despite not being in the matchday squad.

    He's been catching up with former team mates in the warm-up.

  18. Postpublished at 19:54 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 BST)

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales at the Brewery Field, Bridgend

    It is slowly building up here in Bridgend for a fixture time and date that is not the most helpful for supporters.

    Ospreys are looking for a win that will secure a home tie in the last 16.

    Given the "intimate" nature of the ground, not many sides will want to come to Bridgend.

    So that is why a win tonight is important for Mark Jones' side.

  19. Morris hunts Montpellier repeatpublished at 19:48 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 GMT)

    Morgan Morris passes the ball for Ospreys in MontpellierImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Number eight Morgan Morris returned from injury at Montauban in round two and is starting to build up a head of steam.

    The strong-running forward enjoyed the Champions Cup double against Montpellier in 2022-23, scoring in both fixtures.

    "They're a great outfit, we had a great year against them beating them twice, it's exciting to go against them again," said Morris.

    "They're going to be a big physical pack and they're going to try and dominate us up front.

    "That's the big challenge for us, to deal with that, and then give the ball to our backs, because we've got an exciting back line."

  20. Top spot up for grabspublished at 19:44 GMT 17 January

    Ospreys v Montpellier (20:00 GMT)

    Jack Walsh running with the ball for OspreysImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    First place in Pool One is on the line tonight but there is more on it for Ospreys.

    Montpellier are already guaranteed to finish in the top two thanks to their perfect record so far. They will have a home tie in the last 16 but another five-point haul would earn top seeding and games on home soil through to the final in Bilbao.

    There is serious danger for Ospreys, who have slipped below Zebre in the table after the Italians secured a late fourth try when beating Black Lion earlier today.

    With Connacht likely to beat Montauban in a game that kicks off at the same time as this one, Ospreys need to avoid defeat if they are not to slip another spot to fourth.

    Ospreys scenarios

    • Win with a bonus point: They will top the group as long as Montpellier do not claim a bonus. If the French side score four tries but lose by 14 points or more then it will be Ospreys that win the pool on points difference.
    • Win without a bonus point: They will top the group if they deny Montpellier four tries and win by 14 points of more. Any victory is enough to claim second place in the pool and home advantage.
    • Draw or defeat: Ospreys will finish fourth if Connacht claim a maximum against Montauban.