Connacht through to Cup quarter-finals

Connacht qualified for the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup for the second year in succession after beating nearest rivals Montpellier 20-10 at the Galway Sportsground.

Only two points separated the teams in Pool Two before the tie but the province maintained their unbeaten record thanks to second-half tries from Liam Bibo and Fionn Carr.

A brace of penalties from the boot of fly-half Ian Keatley handed Connacht a 6-3 lead at half-time.

But Bibo burst through after 57 minutes before wing Carr followed nine minutes later to settle the tie.

Keatley converted both before Mamuka Gorgodze touched down in the final minute for the French team.

However, their failure to gain a losing bonus point meant Connacht cannot now be passed for top spot in the group.

Connacht travel to Madrid next week bidding to clinch top seeding and with it a guaranteed home draw in the last eight.