Townsend: Defeat is unthinkable

Four wins from their last five GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures leaves the Scotsmen second in the table, just a point shy of the summit.

But their European travails leave them staring elimination from the pool stage full in the face, after two defeats from four.

Defeat to their French visitors, who have recently installed South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White as their new boss, will leave them unable to advance.

And head coach Townsend has told his players such a scenario is unthinkable.

"Over the two games against Montpellier and Bath, we know eight points will not be enough to go through and that nine might be, depending on how other matches unfold," he told the Daily Record.

"Lose this weekend and we are out, so all we are focusing on is winning.

"It will be tough to break Montpellier down, but if we concentrate on what we do well we will create chances.

"This tournament is very strong and to reach the last eight you have to perform exceptionally well and win at least four pool games."

Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12