Montpellier 7s vs Vannes 7s

Vannes entered the 22:15 local time (20:15 UTC) kick-off buoyed by their last-gasp win over Castres hours earlier — sealed on the final play according to the club's social media. Montpellier, playing their second match of the day after facing Bayonne, started sharply and took the lead with an early try.

Vannes responded with the composure of a side that reached the grand final in their debut Supersevens appearance in 2024-25. A slick try from the Vannes attack, built through phase play out wide, levelled the scores. Another struck before half-time, giving Vannes a lead they would not relinquish.

Montpellier struck back after the restart to close within one score, but Vannes' defence — organised by head coach Emmanuel Quintane — held firm. A decisive third try in the second half stretched the lead to nine points, and Vannes controlled the closing stages to secure the 21-12 final margin.

Montpellier's response early in the second half cut the deficit and shifted momentum. But Vannes absorbed the pressure and answered immediately with their third try — a strike that rebuilt the buffer and forced Montpellier into chasing two scores in the closing minutes. That response defined the result.

Enzo Benmegal — Vannes' France 7 international was the standout. His experience on the HSBC SVNS circuit showed in broken-field play and defensive organisation, dictating Vannes' transition in both matches.

Juan Bautista Pedemonte — The Argentine-born back brought physical edge in contact and linked effectively in the wide channels, crossing for at least one of Vannes' tries.

Montpellier's try-scorers — Montpellier showed flashes of ambition, particularly in the opening exchanges, managing two tries against a well-drilled Vannes defence.

The 21-12 scoreline reflects a game that was tighter than the nine-point margin suggests. Sevens matches swing on individual moments, and Vannes' ability to score at key junctures immediately after Montpellier's second-half response was the difference. Vannes' earlier 24-19 win over Castres showed their capacity to close tight games; this was a more controlled performance where they never trailed after the midway point.

Vannes finished Day 1 with maximum points in Pool D (2 wins from 2), putting them in pole position for Saturday's quarter-finals. Under the new Supersevens format, only the top two from each four-team pool progress to the knockout rounds on Day 2.

Montpellier entered Friday with two pool matches and face a must-win scenario in their remaining Pool D fixtures to keep qualification hopes alive.

The top eight teams from Biarritz earn stage points (10 for the winner down to 1 for 8th place) counting toward the season standings. Stage 2 follows at Pau on 28-29 August, before the grand final at Paris La Défense Arena on 6-7 February 2027.

Vannes backed up their dramatic opening win with a professional second performance, showing the depth and organisation that took them to the final in their debut season. Montpellier competed but lacked the knockout punch when it mattered. The Bretons look well placed to go deep again.