Ben Foden celebrated his England call-up in style as Northampton gained a narrow European Challenge Cup win over Montpellier.

The uncapped scrum-half set up first-half tries for Chris Mayor and Stephen Myler before Sean Lamont's late strike at the Stade Yves du Manoir.

Montpellier took an early lead after Francois Trinh-Duc booted a penalty inside the opening 90 seconds.

Northampton rallied and scored the opening try in the sixth minute when Foden and Paul Diggin combined to allow Mayor to touch down.

Myler added the conversion and the hosts' misery increased when flanker Jerome Vallee was shown a yellow card for throwing a punch at Mayor.

The Guinness Premiership outfit doubled their try count in the 21st minute when Foden fed Myler to crash over, but the fly-half missed a conversion and penalty chance to extend the Saints' lead.

Montpellier hit back and took a shock 17-15 lead when Frikkie Welsh and Louis Picamoles scored in quick succession.

But Myler edged the visitors back in front with two penalties and Lamont sealed the win before Grant Rees' late consolation try for the hosts.