Saturday afternoon 19th February, Montpellier are away to Castres Olympique, KO 14.30 at the Stade Pierre Antoine. The last couple of years the results have been indifferent, last year a narrow defeat, a match we could have easily won and the year before an excellent second half saw Montpellier come away with a well deserved victory. Since Castres have strengthened their squad with some excellent recruitment, 2 players of outstanding values, Chris Masoe ex All Black, and the mighty Samoan Josefa Tekori, one of very few players this season to score a hat trick of tries, and is tied in 3rd place with 7 tries this season alongside our very own Jimmy Nagusa, but their goal kicker machine Romaine Tuelet is ahead of everyone in points he has scored a massive 222pts so far this season, Montpellier will have to be very disciplined indeed.
To combat Castres excellent recruitment, Montpellier has their own class Islanders, Jimmy Nagusa, Nems Leleimalefaga, Seta Tuilevuka, and also Massi Matadigo, but he is sidelined for 6 weeks with an ankle injury, so the language on the park could vary considerably on Saturday but the hits will be all very much the same, INTENSE!!!
Castres are positioned in 8th place with 47pts.only 5pts behind Montpellier who are 3rd the fight for qualification this season is becoming more intense by the week, so with a little bit of luck and a great effort from both teams we could be in for a real treat on Saturday.
If Montpellier manage to steal an away victory they are knocking very close to qualification and that ultimate goal of H Cup next season, but away victories are hard to come by and the hard yards will have to be done on the park if the Blue and Whites are to achieve success.
Steve Whittell.
