Tuesday morning the club opened its gates for a special press training session, the boys were in excellent spirits and everything passed without problems and no pressure, although the excitement is there for all to see, all the players are cool calm and taking everything in their stride and of course the press turned up in mass, who said they were like sheep!!!

Hard to believe, but Montpellier are just 80mins away from the TOP 14 Final, the hurdle is massive!!! Racing qualified directly straight into the semis finishing second to Toulouse and they have the added bonus of Sebastian Chabal now being available for selection, as his sanctions were cut from 60 days to just 10 after his club’s appeal. 

However, Montpellier are under no pressure as this game is pure bonus for the club, nobody gave them a chance at the start of the season and if the truth is really know it is probably well away from the thoughts of coaches Eric Bechu and Fabien Galthie at the beginning of the season when they took charge of our “ Bande de Copains”. One massive factor in the favour of our Cistes is the 16th man, with just a smattering of semi tickets left, Montpellier will have a massive support in Marseille and the;

“ICI ICI C’EST MONTPELLIER” could well be heard as far away as Toulon, who will have to watch the game on the tele, after suffering their defeat 27-3 by Montpellier in the last game of the season and therefore missing out on qualification and H Cup next season..

The team will leave for their Hotel on Thursday and will have a training session in the Stade Velodrome Friday morning followed by the usual press conference which is attended by coaches and Captains around midday. The other semi between Toulouse v Clermont will take place on Friday evening ko.21.00.

For all who are going to Marseille do not forget to be at the Stadium Velodrome early on Saturday afternoon to see the Montpellier Cadets play their Final against LOU. ko .14.10, and the Stadium gates are open at 13.30  plus the clubs Reichel play their Final also against LOU the following day at Chateaurenard, Stade Pierre Coubertin ko.15.30 so GOOD LUCK to all our up and coming youngsters in the Finals of their young rugby careers.

Not long to wait now, the pressure cooker is starting to simmer, more so for Racing who are odds on favourites despite coach Pierre Berbizier words that both teams were on equal terms sportingly and financially, another crafty old coach who enjoys playing with words.!!!!!! 

 

 

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