Sexton saves Leinster

Sean Cronin: crucial late try for Leinster

Jonathan Sexton once again came to Leinster's rescue in the Heineken Cup, landing a late, late penalty to salvage a 16-16 draw in Montpellier.

Ireland international Sexton knocked over three points with the final kick of an absorbing Pool 3 contest, to spare the European champions from suffering an opening weekend defeat on their travels.

But, just as they had done in last year's final against Northampton in Cardiff, the Irish province were forced to battle back from a half-time deficit.

A try from Fulgence Ouedraogo helped Montpellier open up a 16-6 lead in the second half, only for Leinster to deny them at the death.

Golden performance

The French side certainly saved their best for the visit of the holders though, belying their miserable form in the Top 14 to turn in a golden performance that matched the numbers on the back of their specially-made shirts.

Although Leinster did well to snuff out the danger of the sizeable Mamuka Gorgodze in the first period, often driving the giant Georgian back in the tackle, they found it harder to contain Francois Trinh-Duc.

Still, Montpellier's try ended up coming about when they were able to spring from defence into attack.

Having led 6-3 after a pair of Sexton penalties cancelled out Benoit Paillaugue's early effort, Leinster were pushing hard near their opponents' line when Isa Nacewa duffed an intended grubber towards the right corner.

Lucas Amorosino hacked the loose ball forward and then, having won the foot race to claim it ahead of Fergus McFadden, rolled onto his back to offload to the supporting Ouedraogo for an easy run-in.

Paillaugue knocked over the simple conversion before adding a further three points to make it 13-6 at the break, though they were forced to weather another extended period of pressure that was finally subdued by Isaac Boss being tackled into touch.

Leinster required a bit of their Millennium Magic to perform another second-half comeback, though for long periods it looked like they would fall short.

Sliced wide

A penalty from Trinh-Duc left the visitors staring at a 10-point deficit, and when Sexton - the orchestrator of their magnificent recovery against Saints that had seen them fight back from 22-6 down - sliced a straightforward penalty wide, Montpellier must have thought it was going to be their day.

However, Irish hope grew again when replacement hooker Shaun Cronin showed excellent speed and strength to force his way over out on the right, Sexton converting from a tight angle to cut the gap to three.

Skipper Leo Cullen rejected an opportunity to level the scores with a penalty seven minutes from time, instead kicking to the corner for a lineout.

Montpellier managed to somehow survive only inches from their line on that occasion, though they were not so fortunate when English referee Dave Pearson penalised them again inside the final minute of play.

Rightly asked to go for goal this time, Sexton steadied himself before knocking over the penalty, meaning both sides take away two points apiece.