In any case, Dad will be disappointed one or more times this Saturday. But probably dad prefers to make several. “I have two boys and a girl. The boys are for Rowing. My daughter, who was born in Montpellier when I was a player, is more for the MHR,” smiles Antoine Battut, former coach and third row of Aviron Bayonnais. Exceptionally, the current boss of the sidelines of the Hérault club will do everything to ensure that only his daughter is satisfied. A wish far from impossible, but oh so difficult.
“It’s a team that is developing well. The recruitment was judicious. There are international stars, players experienced in the top 4. They are on the right path”
Saturday, the Basques arrive at the GGL with a very different status from the first leg (28-27). At the time, Bayonne and Montpellier were two teams plagued by doubts, uncertainty and fear. Today, Manu Tuilagi's teammates are tied for 3rd, with an identity subtly tinged with experience and pure local products. “I really enjoy watching my boys play. They are not there by chance. I think it's a team which is growing well, which is evolving well, which has put in the resources for two seasons. The recruitment was judicious. There are international stars, players experienced in the top 4. They are on the right path”, analyzes Antoine Battut, former captain of Rowing then assistant to Yannick Bru on the banks of Nive between 2020 and 2022 .
The MHR scrum, a reference
The MHR also seems to be on the right path. Joan Caudullo's men are coming off a convincing victory on the Clermont pitch (18-22), a week after a precious success against Racing (21-17). “In the locker room, we would have thought we had won the World Cup,” laughs the former Biarrot, left pillar Baptiste Erdocio.
Aviron Bayonnais: the surprise guest begins the return phase
Revelation of the first leg, with a faultless run at home, a denser squad and an X factor in grace, Bayonne (4th), which goes to Montpellier (7th) this Saturday, can legitimately dream of a first qualification for the phases Top 14 finals at the end of the season
Seventh overall, the Montpellier residents have set themselves the objective of becoming “a difficult team”. After a more than sluggish start, this group is gaining momentum. Its scrum terrorizes the Top 14 (twenty penalties and four broken arms collected in this sector over the last four matches) and its defense is the second best in the championship. “For the first time in a long time, we are in the first half of the championship. I believe that the danger would be to say that certain things are acquired when no, especially not,” slips Battut, eternally cautious.
The major area of progress for the Héraultais remains offensive animation. By focusing on the fundamentals, the offensive sector takes a hit. This is the policy of the current staff, who above all wish to strengthen the bases after a chaotic last season. Then Joan Caudullo & co can count on their “Mister Plus”, like Billy Vunipola, Stuart Hogg, Cobus Reinach. That promises.
Infirmary
Montpellier's revelation of the season, winger Maël Moustin, is still suffering from a hamstring. Same for South African third row Janse Van Rensburg. Georgian prop Nika Abuladze, affected since the autumn tour, has not yet recovered. Paul Willemse, victim of yet another concussion in early October, is still not training. The international second row (32 years old, 32 caps) is not yet sure of playing a rugby match in his life again. His appointment with the neurosurgeon at the beginning of the month will tell you what to do next.
