With a series of four consecutive successes, the MHR finally seems to have found the recipe after a difficult start to the season. Enough to glimpse the peaks in 2025.
“I’m very happy to play something other than maintenance.” Joan Caudullo, manager of the Cistes, noted the revival of the MHR in a post-match press conference this Sunday in the aisles of the Stade Marcel-Michelin. After a stormy start to the season, marked by four defeats in five matches, the Montpellier residents finally seem to have chased away their demons from the previous year and have fully launched their season. Thanks to six victories in their last eight matches, including four in a row during a magical month of December, the Hérault residents are fully smiling again.
Their victory on the Clermont pitch (which remained undefeated at home since February 25, 2024), last weekend at the end of an admirable collective performance, is proof of this. The Héraultais magnificently conclude this first block of the championship in 7th place, only three points behind Stade Rochelais, last in the top 6, and will have the weapons to reach the final stages in this second part of the season.
Caudullo's work is paying off
Appointed by Mohed Altrad last June to replace Patrice Colazzo after the club remained in the elite at the last minute, Joan Caudullo, former forwards coach but inexperienced as a manager at the highest level, took time to find his rhythm. Perhaps it was necessary to go through difficult moments (and these encouraging defeats) at the start of the season to build a solid long-term project. In recent weeks, Montpellier has found an effective game and system.
Surrounded by men from the club like Benoît Paillaugue or Geoffrey Doumayrou, but also new to the management, Caudullo is a patient manager, who seems to lead his group wonderfully. “We worked well strategically by holding a lot of meetings to implement what we wanted to do in Clermont. The guys quickly joined”he explained in comments reported by Rugby Rama . A solid pack, men who do a huge job, a foolproof defense and dream pragmatism: in short, the Cistes have rediscovered their mantra, forgotten last season, which propelled them to the top of France in 2022 .
Stuart Hogg, finally decisive
“I cried at the end”admitted the Scotsman Stuart Hogg, replaced at the opening, in a press conference after the success against Clermont. He who has experienced difficult times in recent years finally seems to be reborn on the field in recent weeks, like his team. He also largely contributed to his team's success with a 100% success and 17 points on the pitch at the Michelin Stadium, despite some damaging errors in the first period. Expected as a star recruit, Hogg finally reveals all his potential, in front of the poles as well as in the game, and is one of those who can allow Montpellier to reach the summits. “Stuart is a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We know he is an exceptional player. He brings us a lot on and off the field.”explains his manager for Free Midday .
An iron defense
“Our defense, in the DNA of the club, is something that has been present for a long time,” said the second line of the Cistes, Florian Verhaeghe, this Sunday. Indeed, the Héraultais have been able to count on a very high quality defense for several weeks, essential to achieve prestigious victories like against Clermont, who multiplied the opportunities in the opposing camp. With only 13 points conceded on average over the last 6 matches, the results are more than positive. Hogg and his team even managed to concede no points against La Rochelle last November during their home victory, 16-0. At the forefront of the fight, French third row Lenni Nouchi has made no less than 48 tackles in his last 3 matches, or 16 on average. Defensive work praised by Caudullo: “Our defense was heroic. We were afraid of line errors”rejoiced the Hérault manager.
A united locker room
After a season where the group was somewhat torn apart and lost, the club and the locker room seem to find a little more stability and atmosphere, the staff affirms: “We feel it, yes. But you have to pay attention to the good atmosphere. It must be transformed on the ground. Behind experienced executives like the Englishman Billy Vunipola, the other big recruit of the summer, the group has found a common objective and now wishes to look upwards, after more than a year and a half of “galleys”. “They told me that they did not want to play for maintenance this season.” From now on, Montpellier faces a big challenge: competing with the best teams in the Top 14 to reach the final stages. “If we want to validate all that, we have to beat Bayonne”asserts Joan Caudullo seriously, before taking on the Basque club, also on a hellish dynamic at the end of the year.
