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Ex-All Black Bridge scores but loses on Montpellier bow / Photo: THIERRY ZOCCOLAN - AFP
Ex-All Black Bridge scores but loses on Montpellier bow
Former New Zealand winger George Bridge scored on his Montpellier debut as his new side lost 19-14 at Clermont in the French Top 14 on Saturday.
Bridge, 27, headed to France earlier this month from Canterbury and crossed just after the break as his club, the Top 14 champions, stayed in fifth place in the table.
Ex-France fly-half Jules Plisson kicked 14 points at Stade Marcel-Michelin for the hosts, who moved up to eighth with their first win in four games.
Clermont led 6-3 at the break as Plisson slotted two penalties as Louis Foursans responded for the visitors before Bridge gave the southern outfit the lead on 44 minutes.
Foursans missed the conversion before Loic Godener crossed and Plisson converted to make it 13-8 with half an hour to play.
With 20 minutes remaining Clermont, nick-named Les Jaunards (The Yellows) but wearing a white shirt at home, led 16-14 as Plisson and Foursans were successful with shots at goal.
Plisson, 31, then made sure of the win with an effort with eight minutes left as they recorded their first win since October 15.
Later, England back-rower Jack Willis makes his maiden Toulouse start as the record 21-time French champions and league leaders welcome Perpignan.
Struggling Brive are bottom of the table and go to Bordeaux-Begles with the 1997 European Cup winners looking for a first win since October 1.
La Rochelle head to Stade Francais seven days out from starting the defence of their Champions Cup title when they play Northampton Saints next weekend.
On Sunday, last season's runners-up Castres play Pau while Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is unable to make his Toulon debut against Racing 92 after only arriving on the south coast on Monday.
L.Ziegler--BlnAP
