The Gentle Giant and the General, Eric Bechu and Fabien Galthié, have been friends for a long number of years and it was in Colomiers where they first started their partnership, but it was only the 14th July last month that they started this adventure together with Montpellier Herault Rugby. In a very short time they have between them, turned the playing styles of Montpelier on their heads, and given this squad of young talented players vision and more importantly belief!!

The scene was set for the first home match of the season against Racing-Metro, a team all the press has been tipping to be finalists or thereabouts, and not too much being said about Montpellier, the scripts are rapidly being rewritten, over 12,500 supporters witnessed a Montpellier rarely seen in the Stadium Yves du Manoir they just tore Racing to shreds.

The home team could not have had a worse start, after only 13 mins. they were 2 penalties and an interception try by Soubade to the worse 13-0 to Racing. Montpellier was doing all the attacking and for this to happen so early, it was going to be a mountain to climb.

In recent years heads could well have fallen but not anymore, The fighting spirit so well known to the Irish was for all to see, the pack of forwards, dominant in all quarters, giving scrum half Julien Tomas, excellent fast ball and with his precision passing to a certain Francois Trinh-Duc who was leading his orchestra on a merry dance, all the backs were lightening fast and always supporting each other, Racing just could not cope with the continual onslaught that Montpellier were putting them under.

Geoffrey Doumayrou, got himself a hat trick and new signing Timoci Nagusa jumped on the gift of a life time when Vulivuli made probably the biggest gaff of the season so far, letting the Fijian dive over in the corner.Trinh-Duc was knocking over penalties and conversions with ease, all that was missing was the attacking bonus point, but the hooter sounded and it was not to be. Racing knocked on, the referee waved advantage,  the ball passed through a multitude of hands before The Doum dived over for his Hat trick, Racing were on their knees the white flag was out, they had had enough!!! Final score MHR 36 Racing 19.

Never has the stadium erupted the supporters went crazy MONTPELLIER MONTPELLIER was all that could be heard, a Tour D’ Honour second to none and 12,500 supporters on their way to the Bodega to talk about the Match, maybe the Match of the Season.

This victory was the effort of 2 very knowledgeable coaches and a squad who believed in themselves and played non stop rugby, not going to ground, but still with precision and passion.

Man of the Match Geoffrey Doumayrou for his hat trick, but it was a very close call; anyone in a Montpellier shirt could have got the nod. The only down side is the Montpellier ground staff may have their work cut out this season, the touch line box in which the Gentle Giant paces backwards and forwards will wear out very quickly and  probably needs replacing after every home game!!!

Steve Whittell.

Pitch side interview with Timoci Nagusa.

SW. First match at home, how do you feel?

TN. Excellent, what a game, everybody played out of their skin; it was a pleasure to be on the park and the atmosphere was fantastic, is it always this noisy? The stadium looked packed out and with all the flag waving and the band playing the atmosphere is second to none we fully deserved our victory and lets hope this is the start of something special.

SW. Great to be on the score sheet in your first game.

TN. It was a bit lucky but you take the chances when they come, we did score 3 excellent well worked tries so mine was just a bonus but all the same a perfect start.

SW. The forwards won the battle up front?

TN. They were superb, they knocked the opposition backwards won our entire scrum ball and the line outs were fantastic, this gave us the platform to work from and with Francois Trinh-Duc waving his magic wand every thing was just brilliant all the backs were interlocking and supporting each other every time we got the ball. I really enjoyed myself and can’t wait for the next one.

SW. How’s the shoulder?

TN. Took a bit of a knock its ice packed at the moment and we will have to see how it shapes up tomorrow, but I think it should be ok.

Cheers Tim I think the boys are waiting for you to celebrate, you deserve it!!

Steve Whittell.