The stage for this mornings training session run by club Captain Fulgence Ouedraogo was the Stadium Yves du Manoir main pitch and not the annexe, obviously a ploy to get the guys used to the playing surface for the first home game of the season which is Friday night against Racing Metro k.o 19.00.
The atmosphere was excellent at this morning run out and the boys were put through their paces by Capt. Fufu.
All this week the errors that occurred in last Fridays narrow defeat at Biarritz have been ironed out and the team is building up to tomorrow nights clash against the Parisians.
Although relaxed the squad had their serious game face on and everything was performed to near perfection, and if there were mistakes repetition were the words of the Captain.
All looks set for a great start to the home season we all wish Montpellier every success and come out fighting right from the sound of the first whistle.

Interview with Aliki Fakate, Second row Montpellier Herault Rugby.

Aliki Fakate was born in Noumea New Caledonia, 04 09 1985, 2.01mts, 133kgs.
Aliki is a reconverted shot putter, he joined Lyon O. U. in 2005 at their academy of excellence and 2 years later played his first pro rugby game for Lyon O U against Racing Metro in the PRO D 2, a remarkable coincidence that he plays his first home Top 14 game in his young career for Montpellier, against the very same Racing Metro, he also has one Cap for France A against Italy.


SW. Your first home game tomorrow, your thoughts Aliki?

AF. Firstly were have been training hard since the beginning of June and the start of this season took a long time coming, after last weeks defeat at Biarritz which hurt everyone concerned, we want to put things right in front of our home crowd, I particularly am very excited to get onto that park in front of our supporters and do my job to the up most of my ability.

SW. The coaches have been working you hard this week?

AF. All the mistakes that happened last week had to be put right, so we have been put through our paces with nothing left out, and yes this week we have been earning our keep!!
Everyone is quietly confident but we must start the match as we mean to carry on and take the game to Racing, we have some fantastic players in the squad, we are at home and have to prove to all, that this is Montpellier’s home ground and we will defend it at all cost.

SW. Nothing but a win then?

AF. We will all be trying our very hardest, the team is on form and we all need to start the home season off with a win and hopefully the 4 points that go with it,  we need to be on our top game but the confidence is there and we have put the work in all this week.

SW. Thanks Aliki and the very best of luck tomorrow night.

Steve Whittell.