MONTPELLIER have taken command of Pool Two of the Challenge Cup after starting their campaign with a Welsh double.

The French side won 18-14 at the Dragons on opening weekend despite bringing over a second string and backed that up with a 59-15 destruction of the Ospreys at Stade Yves-du-Manoir.

The Welsh side, who are still in a healthy position after enjoying a bonus-point win against the Lions in their opener, were overpowered by the Top 14 side in what was a record European defeat.

Montpellier crossed for nine tries with Nicolas Martins, Tyler DuGuid, Jordan Uelese, Leo Coly, Lyam Akrab, Mael Moustin, Auguste Cadot, Enzo Forletta and Madosh Tambwe going over.

The Ospreys could only manage a Dan Edwards drop goal and late tries from Evardi Boshoff and Keelan Giles on a pointless trip to France.

Nonetheless, they will aim to take a step towards the knockout stages when they host Newcastle in round three before another French assignment to finish in Pau.

The weather caused delays in Johannesburg but both sides were reasonably content after the Lions’ 43-35 success against Pau.

The South Africans took the spoils thanks to a penalty try and efforts by Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, PJ Botha, Juan Schoeman and Ruben Schoeman.

However, Pau left with a try bonus thanks to Josselin Bouhier going over late on to add to efforts by Dan Jooste, Axel Desperes and Romain Ruffenach.

Montpellier are on nine points, Pau six and the Lions and Ospreys on five.

In the next round of fixtures in January the Ospreys host Newcastle, Montpellier entertain the Lions and the Dragons welcome Pau to Rodney Parade.