That brought the second of their two Challenge Cup titles, with the first coming five years previously.

2015/16: Winners

Montpellier claimed their first EPCR trophy in front of a 28,556 crowd at Grand Stade de Lyon, where they defeated Harlequins 26-19 in the final.

A brace of tries from replacement full-back Jesse Mogg swung the game towards Jake White’s men, with Demetri Catrakilis converting both and landing four penalties to put the trophy beyond Quins’ reach.

The TOP 14 side had looked unlikely winners in the pool stage, as they finished five points adrift of the English club in Pool 3, after being hammered 41-18 by them in their opener and going down 37-27 at Cardiff too in Round 3.

However, a nail-biting 23-22 home success over the Welsh outfit in Round 4 set Montpellier on their way as they didn’t lose another game, triumphing 25-19 at Sale Sharks in the quarter-finals before overcoming Newport Gwent Dragons at home in the semi-finals.

2020/21: Winners

Montpellier’s second Challenge Cup followed a more unconventional route, as they found themselves relegated into the second-tier tournament, having finished second bottom in Pool A of the Heineken Champions Cup when the stage was suspended due to Covid-19 after only two matches.

The French club then displayed true character to emerge triumphant from all four of their knockout games by no more than nine points.

First they saw off Glasgow Warriors 26-21 at GGL Stadium in the Round of 16, then Benetton Rugby 31-25 at the same venue in the quarter-finals, Bath Rugby 19-10 at The Recreation Ground in the semi-finals and finally Leicester Tigers 18-17 at Twickenham Stadium.

The finalists traded four tries, but it was the stunning match-winner from centre Johan Goosen that secured a second Challenge Cup title for Montpellier, wing Vincent Rattez having scored their opener. Scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue converted one and kicked two penalties.

Montpellier Hérault Rugby will experience their first full campaign in the EPCR Challenge Cup since 2015/16 next season, although they did enjoy a memorably brief return two years ago.