Montpellier Rugby Club Prepares for 2023 with Staff Changes and Possible New Vice-President

The telephone meeting with the president was fixed for Wednesday evening. Current situation, organization chart and future were the topics to be discussed. But Mohed Altrad’s schedule has gotten busy over the past 72 hours, forcing the businessman to politely postpone the interview. The individual interviews have been linked since Sunday. Since the unpleasant setback against Brive last Saturday (26-27), the fifth of the season in the Top 14 at home, things are moving internally. At the MHR, the context of serenity in 2022 gave way to that of change in 2023.

Beyond the distressing defeat against the Corréziens, the post-match scene in the locker room left its mark

. Nothing has yet filtered on possible sanctions. Nevertheless, some new facts have been stirring up the corridors of Montpellier since then.

Kockott applied, Paillaugue surveyed As revealedThe Team , Alexander Ruiz

could leave the club at the end of the season to become manager of Soyaux-Angoulême (Pro D2). Information that we are able to confirm. Indeed, the 36-year-old former international referee was not denied the opportunity to take the helm of a professional club.

The current head of discipline, attitudes in contact, rucks and defense of the MHR, in office since the summer of 2021, was contacted two months ago by Soyaux-Angoulême. Ruiz first saw his management put a veto on a possible departure. But the events of the past few days have changed the situation. His case should be settled quickly.

In recent hours, the name of Rory Kockott has come to the table. The former scrum half of Castres and current defense coach of the Tarn club has indeed offered to the champion club of France. A file closed without follow-up. The Benoît Paillaugue trail

could be an alternative. The former MHR scrum half (2009-2022), currently a player in the colors of RC Toulon, has never hidden his desire to one day join the club’s staff. His agreement with Jean-Baptiste Elissalde makes the possibility even more credible. Montpellier could be tempted to integrate the child of the club faster than expected. However, the player still has a year left on his contract with the Rouge et Noir and he has not announced a possible end to his career.

On the other hand, the management of Montpellier will have to clarify certain points. In particular the names and the organization chart of the future staff. Because in addition to the departure of Alexandre Ruiz, Bruce Reihana, currently in charge of skills and footwork, could also leave.

The upper echelons of the club are also brought to move. On the antennas of RMC Monday evening, Mohed Altrad confided that he thought of giving a post of vice-president to Philippe Saint-André. The latter would therefore take a step back from the field.

Elissalde-Cockerill, number one duo

The keys to the athlete would then be entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (45) and Richard Cockerill (52), supposed to arrive this summer. The exact role of the two men will have to be defined quickly, as these two seem to be two potential number ones.

Elissalde, who arrived from Toulouse in January 2020, has established himself as the conductor of the professional group. In addition to his head coaching cap, the former scrum-half pilots a project ranging from cadets to the first team. As for Cockerill, he comes out of number one experiences with Leicester (2005-2016), Toulon (2017), Edinburgh (2017-2021) and he is currently assistant coach of the English selection. Their cohabitation will be scrutinized closely.

In addition to a staff to recompose, the MHR must also complete its workforce for next season. After the failure of Luke Cowan-Dickie, the club is particularly active in recruiting a hooker to support Brandon Paenga-Amosa next season. The construction sites are open.