The end of the season has not been kind to Montpellier, an infirmary over flowing with players and maybe a massive problem of exhaustion where players are struggling to find their form of 6 months ago and most are carrying little or large injuries that complete rest would be the only remedy. This is the real ups and downs of professional sport, but the fight continues, after disappointing results against Bayonne at home and Brive last Saturday away, Montpellier have amassed just 2 points in their last 2 games, at this time of year that is just not sufficient

 

They however have just about their destiny in their hands, a win with bonus point would ensure a play off place, a win without could be good enough as long as Toulon score no points and Bayonne win but without the bonus, complicated indeed, so a 5 point win is the obvious, but far easier said than done!!!

 

Unfortunately it takes two to tango, and big spending Toulon are about in the same boat (which has not quite sunk just yet) as Montpellier, the only difference is everybody expected Toulon to qualify in the top 3/4 places as they announced they would at the beginning of the season, but that’s life you win some and you lose some, and predict badly, lets hope its Toulon who finish their season on the 7th May. 

 

Montpellier has 2 weeks to knuckle down to the job of preparing a team that must beat Toulon at all costs or the season is over for our Cistes, plus there is a certain scooter that is up for grabs, and nobody wants The General (Galthie) walking to work, or Canal Plus taking MHR property of the premises!!

Qualification looked nearly assured 3 weeks ago then, *****!!!! But that’s sport nothing is predictable and sometimes not all goes to plan.

 

The stadium Yves du Manoir will be a total sell out for the Toulon game approx 15,000 with only standing tickets left, which could be a new record gate attendance in itself, and that all important 16th man will be present, sporting Blue and White, so let the preparation be excellent these next 10 days, and the victory Montpellier’s then all this seasons heart failure and commotion would have just been Agatha Christie!!! 

 

 

Steve Whittell.