After a third of the championship, marked by three victories and six defeats, the results of the MHR are mixed. He can do better in the second part of the season in Top 14.
Montpellier delivered a fairly uneven first part of the championship. A contrasting assessment with two last outings which suggest better days ahead. But the balance remains fragile. This recovery will have to be confirmed after the truce.
Setting up the game
The arrival of a new staff is always a special moment. Even more so when he is a novice at this level. Since their beginnings, Joan Caudullo and his assistants have focused on the fundamentals of rugby. A big victory and an aggressive defense, just to put a team back on track which really needed it after the previous season. So far, the mission has been partly successful. Montpellier is the second best defense in the Top 14, just behind Toulouse (194 points conceded). On the other hand, the MHR is in 12th place in terms of attack (191 points scored). We will have to find a good balance on both sides of the field.
Melee is also one of his strong points. It benefits from the arrival of summer recruits (Abuladze, Hounkpatin, Uelese, etc.), whose integration took place at great speed. Montpellier also experienced major problems with consistency in the game, suffering penalizing air gaps . The last two matches against La Rochelle (16-0 victory) and Castres (30-26 defeat) show that the problem is being resolved. But beware of relapse.
The construction of the group
A catastrophic season last year, 15 new recruits in the offseason and three new coaches. It's not easy to make the mayonnaise set. “We are tough, very tough with them, even.”confided Joan Caudullo, the head coach, after the victory against Stade Rochelais. However, at this level, the MHR has not experienced any major problems.
But he still has to compose. Between the late arrival of Joshua Moorby, the uncertainty over the legal future of Stuart Hogg, who returned to Scotland for his trial for harassment, this week or the long absence due to concussion of Paul Willemse, not to mention the long-term injuries (Serfontein, Bouthier) many headaches present themselves to the staff.
The Top 14 ranking
The club was also looking for leaders. As soon as they arrived, Stuart Hogg and Billy Vunipola stood out to the whole group. So much so that the English third row inherited the captain's stripes. A task which he acquits himself perfectly. With a Vunipola-Reinach-Hogg axis with more than 200 international selections, Montpellier is much more armed than last season.
Upcoming projects
If Montpellier shines in defense, the MHR has not yet really tackled the attack site. Its offensive sector is nevertheless supplied with quality elements. The two wingers Moustin and Tambwe showed that they had fire in their legs. And the match in Castres showed great promise from the back lines. Once the defensive base is completely secured, the offensive sector should also be able to develop.
The biggest current project remains that of the opening. The staff has increased the number of tests in recent weeks. The best solution seemed to be to align Stuart Hogg as number 10. But the Scot will be absent for several weeks, so we will have to find a plan B. Thomas Vincent scored points against Castres in this position, notably in his role as a scorer (6/7).
