Connacht were beaten by Montpellier 45-22 in the European Challenge Cup Quarter Final at the Septeo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Stuart Lancaster's side were hit for two tries in nine minutes after Sam Gilbert's penalty gave them an early lead. Dylan Tierney-Martin made it 14-8 on 19 minutes, but ten minutes later the hosts ran in another try.
By half time Connacht trailed 26-8, and despite Sean Naughton's early second half try being converted by Gilbert, the French side ran in two further tries to put the result beyond doubt. Jack Aungier put the final points of the day on the board four minutes from time. The away side's challenge was not helped by three yellow cards in the opening half hour, Joe Joyce and Tierney-Martin were sent to the bin inside six minutes before Shayne Bolton was also booked for a late tackle.
Connacht's European Challenge Cup campaign comes to an end, with attention turning to the closing stages of the United Rugby Championship. Up next for the Westerner's is a trip to South Africa to face the Stormers on Saturday next at 12:45 pm before taking on the Lions the following week.
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