Montpellier were hoping to secure their second Challenge Cup victory, having previously won the competition in 2016, while Leicester were aiming for their third European title, after winning the Heineken Cup in 2001 and 2002.

It was Tigers who drew first blood as fly-half George Ford dissected the uprights with an eighth-minute penalty, but Montpellier responded in style with the opening try of the contest.

Vincent Rattez was the beneficiary of a beautifully floated kick down the left flank by Anthony Bouthier as he dotted down under enormous pressure from the Leicester defence. Benoit Paillaugue slotted the touchline conversion.

Paillaugue then added a penalty to extend Montpellier’s lead to 10-3, only for Leicester to hit back with a try of their own.

A series of penalties reduced the TOP 14 outfit to 14 men as Alexandre Becognee was sent to the sin bin, allowing Leicester and Harry Wells to capitalise by breaching the Montpellier defence and touching down close to the posts. Ford added the extra points to level proceedings at 10-10.

Montpellier’s penalty woes continued into the second period, resulting in a second sin bin, this time for Guilhem Guirado.

The Gallagher Premiership side took less than a minute to make the man advantage count, a lineout on the left leading to an unstoppable rolling maul and Jasper Wiese crashing over to put Leicester ahead.

A second Paillaugue penalty brought the French side within four points of the Tigers, before a free-flowing move put the TOP 14 side ahead for good.

A barnstorming run from Gabriel N’Gandebe pierced the Leicester line and then a swift offload to Bouthier was relayed to Johan Goosen, who scampered home for the match-winning try.

Paillaugue’s conversion attempt cannoned off both posts to make it a one-point game, but Leicester were unable to mount a rally in the latter stages and halt Montpellier's charge to victory.

In our final review of the 2020/21 European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign, we take a look at the breathtaking final between Montpellier and Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stadium that was decided 18-17 in the French club’s favour.