MONTPELLIER KEPT THEIR hopes of reaching the European Champions Cup quarter-finals alive last night, and they can be thankful to Nemani Nadolo for playing a huge role in helping them to do so.
The French side bounced back from last week’s 57-3 defeat to Leinster — after which Nadolo said he was “ashamed” — to record a bonus-point 26-17 win at home to Northampton Saints.
The result means Montpellier have finished second to Leinster in Pool 4 on 16 points. Should other results go their way this weekend, they may find themselves in the last eight of the competition.
Nadolo scored two of Montpellier’s four tries last night, as well as providing a sublime offload for Kelian Galletier to get the hosts off the mark at the Altrad Stadium.
Nadolo’s first try, which came in the 51st minute, was a sight to behold. After receiving a pass wide on the left from his fellow Fijian Akapusi Qera, the 28-year-old brushed off no fewer than five Northampton tacklers to score.
Northampton fans probably won’t be happy with the defending, but we’re not going to pass judgement on anyone for failing to bring down a six-foot-five, 300-pound freight train.
It was a score that would undoubtedly have received the seal of approval of the late, great All Black Jonah Lomu.
Click here to watch the rest of the highlights. It’s worth it for the offload and Nadolo’s second try, which was a fine score too.
