Montpellier, who sit 16 points and seven places above their high-profile hosts in their domestic championship, raced into a 16-0 lead inside 21 minutes courtesy of a close-range try from Giorgi Chkhaidze and three penalties from inspirational scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue.

Openside flanker Chkhaidze wriggled over after backs and forwards combined brilliantly to leave Stade's defence outnumbered and overpowered as Montpellier silenced a previously noisy home crowd.

That substantial advantage looked to set to be extended even further before a cruel twist of fate finally gave Stade a foothold in the game.

A delightful break from Paillaugue was followed a perfectly timed back of the hand pass from No8 Marc Giraud to fly-half Raphael Lagarde but it was Stade who were celebrating just moments later. When the move ended abruptly, Scotland full back Hugo Southwell picked up possession, dummied one defender and stepped inside another on his way to a 80-metre sprint to the line.

Julien Dupy addded the simple extras before Stade grabbed a second try in three minutes with another clinical finish. Good support work from Pierre Rabadan saw the blindside dive over 15 metres to the right of the posts following impressive work from England Sevens star Ollie Phillips.

Despite those two lightening quick scores, Montpellier led 19-12 at the break but Stade were the better side for large chunks of the second period.

With Paillaugue off injured, Lagarde extended the visitors' lead to 10 points but a penalty try and a fourth score from replacement Antoine Burban handed Stade a 29-22 advantage on the hour mark.

Montpellier hit back with two more well-taken penalties from Lagarde to reduce the gap to a single point and ensure a nervy finish in the French capital.

But a Lionel Beauxis penalty ensured Montpellier would need a try to leave with a win that had looked so likely early on and Stade's defence held firm despite intense pressure in the final five minutes.