For the first time, Louis Carbonel confides in his departure from Toulon, his ambition with the MHR and the competition

Louis Carbonel stamped with the Montpellier logo, it calls out. He, the Prince of the Rade, with red and black blood, set sail for new horizons this summer by signing with the MHR. A departure that unleashed the anger of Toulon supporters, flabbergasted to see the management of the RCT let go of their darling.

But the Var club’s chaotic start to last season forced president Bernard Lemaitre to part ways with Patrice Collazo at the end of October. An event that upset the team and the future of some players including Louis Carbonel. In the shadows, the sporting director of Montpellier Philippe Saint-André then looked into the file of the international fly-half (4 caps) and signed him for the next three seasons. Nice shot. Interview with the new opener of the MHR.

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Carbonel at the MHR: “I worked three and a half months on it”, Saint-André tells the backstage of the transfer

Louis, did you learn the words to “Oh petard” before you arrived?

I already knew them a little bit thanks to Arthur… But that’s fine, they’re easy.

How does it feel to wear something other than red and black?

It’s true that seeing yourself in the mirror all in blue is a little weird. But that’s okay, it’s not either… (smile)

New logo, new city… Can you find your bearings?

I am in full acclimatization phase. Whether with the group or the life of the club. It’s a new life with new habits, I want to integrate as quickly as possible. I look forward.

Your signing in Montpellier came as a surprise at the time since you were still under contract with Toulon. Can you tell us what happened, your version?

(He pauses) No, I’m not going to tell it, it’s no use starting a controversy, rumors or anything. There are so many things that happened, that were said to the club last year since we were in a complicated period. We have all learned. My version, I could tell you but it has no interest. Many know the story in Toulon given the support I had at the end of last year. Now I’m ready to turn the page and I can’t wait to discover a context that I don’t know.

Leaving home, was it the hardest decision of your career?

It was hard in the sense that at first I didn’t really believe it. I was still under contract with Toulon so I did not think of leaving this year. In the end, it happened a bit like that. Things happened and the Montpellier opportunity presented itself.

I want to (talk) but it’s useless. Things have to stay at the club

You end last season in a cannonball, that’s why we imagine that the start could not have been easy…

It is clear that we remained on an impressive series of victories (16 out of 22 matches). I had a lot of friends in this band and leaving them on a note like that, I think maybe there was better to do. But that’s part of learning.

Your departure provoked a roar from Toulon supporters, who even launched petitions for you to stay. Were you touched by this enthusiasm around you?

It’s definitely fun. This last match against Pau (Carbonel scored a try in front of his home crowd for the der at Félix-Mayol) showed that Toulon was a small rugby village. Everyone knows the stories of the club. I wanted to give back to the supporters what they gave me. I would have preferred to leave them with something, a title, but that’s how it is, that’s sport. I said that I will talk to the supporters, that I will tell them things, but it is useless.

Want to keep it all to yourself?

I want to (talk) but it’s useless. Things have to stay at the club. Everything that happened, I absorbed it like a force and it served me for the end of the season. Now we have to talk about Montpellier.

Get out of your comfort zone, do you take it as a challenge?

I didn’t know when I was going to leave in my career. But leaving home is always beneficial. You face social life on your own. It can only do good. I am happy to experience this.

Did the presence of Arthur Vincent, whom you have worked with since the France U16 team, motivate you?

Sure. Already I saw the quality of the workforce of Montpellier where I have some friends. I didn’t watch that, but it’s always nice to have them with you.

You are not so far from Toulon, the short distance played in your decision?

No no. At the time, opportunities presented themselves. I wanted to find the best club to progress and I hope to find that here.

It’s true that we have a certain image outside the club. But when you’re inside, the environment is great, it’s only positive.

The competition for your position will be high in Montpellier with Paolo Garbisi and Louis Foursans.

It’s a real challenge for me. Paolo and Louis have done some very nice things. It can only make us progress. We’re going to get the hang of it physically or in skills. I’m going to take a bit of each to progress as much as possible.

Playing with Léo Coly and Arthur Vincent, your U20 world champion teammates in 2019, what does that mean to you?

The wink is nice. When you play with players with whom you have a particular affinity, it’s easier and it goes faster.

Finding the France team is a goal?

Frankly, I don’t mind. My first ambition is to perform in my club, help the team, especially when everything is new.

Arriving at a French champion club forces you to set the bar high.

(Smile) Ah there, I have to raise all the standards, I will be expected. But it’s good for the club, I’m happy for them. We’re all focused on having a good season even though we know it’s going to be tough.

When you signed, the MHR was not yet champion of France and was struggling to get out of its South African image. This reputation has not played in your choice?

No way. Already, the staff, for 3-4 years, renews the workforce a lot and wants to deconstruct this image. The proof, two friends of mine U20 world champions play in this club and many French are present. It’s true that we have a certain image outside the club. But when you’re inside, the environment is great, it’s only positive.