Heineken Cup: Sale Sharks slump as Montpellier turn on the style

Montpellier's Jim Nagusa holds off Sale's Daniel Cipriani

Sale Sharks' Heineken Cup hopes suffered a blow as they were beaten 33-18 by Montpellier in France on Sunday.

The Sharks took an early lead with a try from Mark Cueto but Montpellier's forwards soon took control in wet conditions and tries from Francois Trinh-Duc, Timoci Nagusa and Julien Tomas secured victory for the hosts.

Sale got off to the ideal start with Danny Cipriani - handed the fly-half shirt following his game-changing burst against Cardiff last weekend - chipping into the corner for Cueto to touch down in the third minute.

But as the half wore on Montpellier's forwards began to exert their power up front and a series of errors in the wet conditions from Sale cost them possession and field position.

Martin Bustos Moyano landed four penalties to give the hosts a 12-8 half-time lead with Rob Miller kicking one for Sale.

Miller landed a further penalty after the break but Montpellier's superior power up front was decisive as their pack decimated a Sale scrum, leaving Trinh-Duc to stroll over to score in the 49th minute.

Minutes later Nagusa had the pace to finish off a breakaway try before the hosts scored their third try when Trinh-Duc's deft chip and collect set up a try for scrum-half Tomas.

Bustos Moyana landed both conversions to end with an 18-point haul while substitute Richie Vernon grabbed a consolation try for the Sharks.