PARIS: France's Romain Ntamack scored twice as Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe made his Toulouse return in a 23-9 victory over Montpellier that stretched their advantage at the top of Pool 5 in the European Champions Cup.
Centre Ntamack, 20, crossed each side of the interval at a rain-drenched Stade Ernest-Wallon before Springbok Kolbe come on as a substitute to play his first club match since lifting the Webb Ellis trophy last month.
“I'm really happy with the collective effort, we played very well even if they were the same weather conditions as we had in Connacht,” Ntamack told broadcasters France 2.
“The bench played their part superbly. Among the backs we try and make the most of the forwards' efforts.” The record four-time champions sit six points clear at the top of the standings after Welsh teenager Louis Rees-Zammit dotted down for second-placed Gloucester, who kept their hopes of a quarter-final place alive by beating Connacht 26-17 earlier in the day. France full-back Thomas Ramos handed the hosts a 6-0 lead after 23 minutes with two penalty goals. Ntamack's first try of the game came on the 35-minute mark after multiple pick and goes from the home side's forwards near the Montpellier line. The visitors trailed 10-3 at the break as Benoit Paillaugue slotted a penalty two minutes before half-time.
Kolbe's fellow World Cup winner Frans Steyn closed the gap to 10-6 a minute after the interval with a long-range effort. Ntamack's second of the match and his fourth in three European appearances this season came as he ran in an interception from a Steyn pass to hand his side a 20-6 lead with half an hour to play.
Scrum-half Paillaugue added his second penalty of proceedings four minutes later. Kolbe was given a standing ovation by the Ernest-Wallon crowd on 56 minutes and came close to crossing shortly after but was tackled into touch. - AFP
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