The last two finalists of the Top 14 meet this Saturday (5 p.m.). Far from playing the leading roles this season, one is only aiming for the Top 6, the other is thinking about maintaining it.
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Tom Gagniare
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How far away this June 24, 2022 seems. In the lead at the end of the regular season – Castres had finished first with 76 points, two points ahead of Montpellier – the two clubs found themselves (logically?) in the final of Top 14 for a remake of the 2018 finale. MHR had not given details by scoring three tries in the first quarter of an hour. 17-0 after fifteen minutes of play, then 23-3 at the break and 29-10 final score. Guilhem Guirado had raised his second Brennus, 13 years after the first with USAP.
Almost ten months after this clash at the top at the Stade de France, the two teams meet at the GGL Stadium this Saturday, at 5 p.m., in the middle of a multiplex. An innocuous meeting, fallen into oblivion.
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Since this final, the two clubs have lost their luster and are battling during this “after season”. Ninth before this 22nd day of the championship, Montpellier can still believe in the final stages (four points behind Toulon, sixth). Castres, eleventh, must first focus on maintaining it, before dreaming, perhaps, of the Champions Cup.
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What form for Montpellier?
Montpellier has come back stronger in recent weeks. The Six Nations Tournament and the doubloons put the Cistes in pain. The Héraultais went six games without a win in all competitions this winter, before finding a taste for it against Clermont first (March 4, 34-6), then in Perpignan (March 25, 22-23). Finally, a cruel denouement in Exeter on April 2, with a defeat in extra time in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup. «We were really disappointed, we made a lot of effort. We play 100 minutes, we are at 14 after 49 minutes… but we showed character and we had a chance to win, winger George Bridge told AFP. It’s really disappointing but that’s the rule… We gained confidence with the way we played.»
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Finished Europe, the Montpellier are now turning to the championship, with a first meeting against the CO. “It’s always complicated against Castres, who are having a special season, blows coach Jean-Baptiste Elissalde. We have to raise our slider. Afterwards, if Castres is better than us and beats us, we will have to make up our minds.” However, the MHR does not lose sight of its objective. “There are only five games left and we are a bit short. I’m not sure that this pressure should be removed, forward scrum-half Léo Coly. You have to have a clear and concise objective to win this game. I can’t see myself not making the final phase this year. It would be a big disappointment, and I’d rather not think about it.»
Castres, an upside-down season
In the Tarn, nothing is going well this season. Pierre-Henry Broncan was landed in February. Replaced by Jeremy Davidson. “He knows well and loves the club, the city, and our environment to which he has always remained attached“Explained, almost two months ago, the president Pierre-Yves Revol, before returning to the bad patch of his club. “They (the reasons) are multiple and we analyze them but in these moments, you need dignity. Now is not the time to go public. But to rally behind this objective of maintenance.At that time, the Tarn club was 11th in the Top 14. A place it still occupies today.
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After three defeats in a row, Castres now remains on two successes at home, but has not played since March 25. Three beneficial weeks for the club according to the new coach. “We needed to recharge, and manage the workload, strikes Jeremy Davidson. There are five games left so we have to be in good shape for the end of the season. We want to show that we have to be counted on.“For Castres Olympique, this match promises to be crucial but impossible: zero away wins for the Tarnais this season.
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At home, Montpellier will want to recover after their disappointment against Exeter. Philippe Saint-André’s group will then go to Bayonne, before receiving Brive and La Rochelle in quick succession, and ending their season against Pau. After moving to GGL Stadium, the CO will receive Toulon, before three last games against direct competitors for maintenance. Matches in Pau, then Brive and a final clash against Perpignan. The final sprint is launched.
