SHOWTIME AT YVES DE MANIOR.

 

Saturday afternoon KO. 14.15 Montpellier host Clermont Auvergne 2nd in  this seasons TOP 14 with 35 points. Missing their International players during the recent World Cup they managed to blood many of their up and coming youngsters, one in particular Jean Marcellin Butin, who has come through the ranks and has performed at fullback this season with brilliance, but he is not on his own, add to that list Wesley Fofana, Alex Lapandry, plus new comers from Wales Regan King and Lee Bryne you already have a selection of excellent players just to mention a few.

Clermont have been for years one of the more solid performers in the French elite, having  taken the monkey of their back in winning the Bouclier de Brennus in 2010 after being losing finalist on 10 occasions.

Montpellier after 2 heroic H Cup pool games against Leinster and Bath, are back in business in the TOP 14 and have a particularly tough 8 days with Clermont tomorrow, Lyon away on Wed. and Biarritz away next Sat. although the player injury list has gone down the Blue and Whites will need to use all their squad in the next 8 days to gain the necessary results, and tomorrows game will be one of the toughest games this season for the home side, but Montpellier seem to excel every time they play the very best so hopefully tomorrow the result will be what everyone wishes for, a win for Montpellier. The coaches Eric Bechu and Fabien Galthie will have to be very precise in getting the starting XV and the bench in perfect harmony to obtain the result needed.

 Earlier this week the Twickenham and Murryfield stands were sold out so an anticipated 14,000 plus will be in attendance. There are still a few tickets available for tomorrows game but be quick or you will be disappointed,  you can buy on line at www.montpellier-rugby.com and click on Billetterie, or telephone  04 67 47 99 71. The ticket office will also be open tomorrow before the game to purchase the few remaining seats.

                                       ALLEZ MONTPELLIER.

 

Steve Whittell.