The Montpellier residents are resting certain executives for the reception of the Lions in the Challenge Cup. Despite the rotations, Montpellier displays an attractive team for their meeting against South Africans from Johannesburg this Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
The Montpellier players are rotating for their third Challenge Cup match against the Lions, but field a competitive team, like their back trio made up of ex-All Black George Bridge, Madosh Tambwe and Anthony Bouthier. The hinge will be formed by scrum half Alexis Bernadet, associated with fly-half Thomas Vincent. Note the presence of several young talents from the MHR training center, such as hooker Lyam Akrab or second row Youssouf Soucouna.
259 days after his last match Anthony Bouthier, makes his comeback at fullback.
The Héraultais, who raised their heads in the Top 14, could consolidate their first place in pool 2 of the Challenge Cup in the event of a victory.
Montpellier’s starting XV: 15. Bouthier; 14. Tambwe, 13. Darmon, 12. Cadot, 11. Bridge; 10. Vincent, 9. Bernadet; 7. Nouchi, 8. Simmonds, 6. Martins; 5. Tauleigne, 4. Soucouna; 3 Japaridze, 2. Akrab, 1 Forletta
The replacements: 16. Karkadze, 17. Erdocio, 18. Haouas, 19. Camara, 20. Veyrier, 21. Barreau, 22. Vincent, 23. Lucas
The Lions starting XV:
1. Shoeman, 2. Jaco Visagie, 3. Asenati Ntlabakanye; 4. Étienne Ooshuizen, 5. Ruan Delport ; 6. W.J. Steenkamp, 7. Be Esterhuizen, 8. Francke Horn ; 9. Nico Steyn, 10. Sam Francis 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 12. Marius Louw (c), 13. Erich Cronje, 14. Kelly Mpeku 15. Horn of When
Substitutes 16. P.J. Botha, 17. Morgan Naudé, 18. Conrad van Vuuren ; 19. Darrien Landsberg, 20. Ruhan Straeuli, 21. JC Praetorius, 22. Sanele Nohamba, 23. Rynhardt Jonker.
