No fireworks, but the job done. At the Orange Vélodrome, Montpellier were in control against Stade Français (25-15) to earn themselves a Top 14 final on Saturday evening. Carried by a flawless kicker and an iron defence, the Hérault side will face Stade Toulousain on 27 June at the Stade de France.

A Stade Français side who scuttled themselves

The start of the match belonged to Paris, though. After Thomas Banks’s try (10th minute) for Montpellier, Stade Français struck twice — Tawera Kerr-Barlow (13th) then Peniasi Dakuwaqa (14th) — to move ahead (10-15). But the Parisians would not score again all evening, undone by their own failings: 13 penalties conceded and a yellow card (Paul Alo-Emile, 32nd). All of it ammunition handed to opponents who were waiting for exactly that.

Montpellier, disciplined and opportunist

Because MHR, for their part, gave away almost nothing: 4 penalties conceded, three times fewer than their opponents. Domingo Miotti took it upon himself to turn that discipline into points, piling up 17 off the tee before going off (58th), with Léo Coly taking over without a wobble (a penalty in the 71st). Just one try on the board, but a Stade Français side punished for every offence: it was on that differential, rather than on any attacking recital, that qualification was built.

Solid after the break, MHR shut the door

Montpellier managed their second half perfectly. With 59% possession and, above all, 71% territory, MHR camped in the Paris half and did not concede another point after the 14th minute. Territorial control allied to genuine solidity (86% tackle success) left Stade Français powerless, without Montpellier ever needing to shine with ball in hand.

Next stop, the Stade de France

Disciplined, patient, ruthless: with that face on, Montpellier have booked their place in the Top 14 final, on 27 June at the Stade de France. There the Hérault side will take on Stade Toulousain, imperious against Racing 92 (71-17) in the other semi-final. One last hurdle, and a far tougher one than a Stade Français side who this time punished themselves.