With a 60-59 aggregate triumph over the English champions on Saturday, Montpellier advanced to the European Champions Cup quarter-finals thanks to Marcus Smith’s failed convert less than five minutes remaining time.
It was harsh retribution for England fly-half Smith, whose individual brilliance ignited a comeback from 34-0 down to lose 40-26 in the first leg last Sunday and then inspired them to a 33-20 victory on Saturday.
This triumph came against a Montpellier team that started only two players (lock Paul Willemse and wing Gabriel Ngandebe), both of whom started the previous game on Sunday.
Harlequins got off to a great start when Huw Jones scored a try in the first minute.
Smith showed his genius on the third try of an exhilarating first half.
Former England scrum-half Danny Care brilliantly stopped a Montpellier kick going into touch and flicked a pass to Smith.
The 23-year-old burst out of his 22, eventually finding fellow England international Joe Marchant on the wing to touch down. Smith converted for 21-10.
Montpellier struck back almost immediately with a converted try but the hosts who had the final laugh of the first half as Louis Lynagh went over in the corner. Smith converted to lead 28-17.
After some sloppy exchanges at the outset of the second half, Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard slotted over a penalty to give the French side a six-point aggregate lead.
Harlequins then exerted all the pressure and Montpellier’s discipline deteriorated.
Referee Mike Adamson lost patience after a series of scrums inside the five-meter line and sent hooker Jeremie Maurouard to the sin bin with just over 10 minutes to go.
Although Smith had a try ruled out for obstruction there were no such doubts as Lynagh went over for his second try with less than five minutes remaining.
However, Smith fluffed his lines as he sent his conversion wide.
Montpellier awaits the winner of an all Top 14 clash between last season’s finalists La Rochelle and Bordeaux-Begles — the former won the first leg 31-13.
Champions Toulouse has a tough task later on Saturday as they trail hosts Ulster by six points and with key players, such as hooker Julien Marchand, injured.
James Lowe scored four tries for Leinster on Friday night, helping the four-time champions to a 56-20 triumph against Connacht (82-41 on aggregate) and a place in the final eight.
In the last eight, they’ll face either Leicester or Clermont, with the English side leading 29-10 after the first leg.
Sale advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Bristol 35-29 (44-39 on aggregate), despite playing the most of the game with just 14 men after Arron Reed was sent off early in the first half.
Sale are expected to face Racing 92 in the next round; the three-time finalists are leading Stade Francais 22-9 going into Sunday’s second leg.
