Last night Montpellier played their last training game against Pays D’Aix a Pro D2 side, who have recruited well this close season and should fair well for the coming new season.

Montpellier fielded a team of experience and youth, trying to give everyone a run for their money before the more serious stuff begins next Friday evening at Racing Metro Paris ko.20.00. 

Under a scorching sun, with the encounter was split into 4 /20 mins. halves to allow the players to hydrate, the game was a fast running affair with 12 tries scored by both teams, 7 for MHR. and 5 for Aix, both teams played with spirit but there were far too many mistakes  and both defences had visions of some fairly holey Swiss cheese, but better to make the errors now and not next Friday when the very serious kicks off.

Tries were scored for Montpellier by Toulou 2, Audrin, Ladhuie, Sicard, Paillaugue and Eberland running in the last of seven, Rapha Lagarde transformed 4 and Paillaugue 2. It was also good to see Robin Solana ex Montpellier and Carcasonne playing well for his new club, he is gaining more and more experience in his young years.

This season Montpellier have a very tough task in front of them, beaten finalists last season, and their training programme started roughly 6 weeks later than last year, 12 players absent on World Cup duties, plus very little time to get the new signings into the playing methods of Montpellier, and if that was not enough, in the first month 3 games away from home, Racing Metro, Stade Francais and Perpignan with just the one home game against Brive.

Racing  and Perpignan will certainly still be smarting from last season when MHR catapulted Racing out of the TOP 14 semi final and Perpignan had their fortress broken for the first time in 18 months by an incredible Montpellier who started their season last year like men possessed, will we have the same attitude this season, lets hope so!!!

Monday 22nd is the first public training day of the new season, rendez vous at 10.00 for a 10.30 start, there will be a presentation of all the new signings, except of course the guys who are on World Cup duty, the boutique will be open from 9.00 to buy the new replica team shirts and any other MHR treasures that you could be needing for the new season.

Friday 26th Aug KO. 20.00 the new season begins with a visit to Paris and Racing Metro, will  this season be as entertaining and as beneficial for Montpellier as last season, that my friends, only time will tell.

 

Steve Whittell.