MHR – Toulouse: in the footsteps of the Toulouse giant, Montpellier wants to take its place
The MHR still has a colossal way to get close to Toulouse and it starts this Sunday, October 2 at 9:05 p.m., for the 5th day of Top 14.
He found his first stone to arm his sling. By winning a historic Brennus Shield last June, the small MHR led its attack on the giant Stade Toulousain and its 21 national titles. The war promises to be long, perhaps with an impossible victorious outcome, but by winning the 2021-2022 battle, Montpellier has shown that it can fight with the greats, exist on the battlefield of the Top 14.
Ironically, he succeeded without defeating the Goliath French rugby. So this Sunday evening, in this new 2022-2023 exercise, Philippe Saint-André’s men will try to win their fight against the almost invincible “red and black”. And confirming their regional supremacy, executed four months ago.
Avoid an inferiority complex
“In Occitania, it is good that we are talking about a derby between Toulouse and Montpellier. This means that Montpellier has entered the concert of the greats of Occitan rugby, stronghold of rugby with Béziers, Narbonne…”says PSA.
A regional derby somewhat relativized by the number of clubs in the region. “I had already been told about the derby during the final against Castres or the match against Perpignanshade Saint-André. At least, we can say that Occitania has brought back quite a few titles in recent years. And the MHR has finally won by engraving its letters on the Shield.” the occitan basin so seen all its flagship clubs on the national roof at least once in history.
“We must above all remain humble, keep this will to ferocity, an irreproachable state of mind”, adds PSA. In other words, the MHR must not suffer from inferiority complex. His status as the youngest player in the Top 14 (created in 1986 against 1907 for Toulouse) and his meager track record compared to his opponent of the day should not prevent him from looking him in the eye, from being ambitious.
The proof, before the fifth day, the two teams are in control of the Top 14. Tonight, one of them can create a first break in the general classification. “We can show that we are also a great rugby team. Today we are tied, it’s up to us to go ahead and leave them behind afterwards”assures Montpellier full-back Anthony Bouthier.
For Florian Verhaeghe, vice-captain from Hérault and trained in Toulouse, the comparison between the two clubs has no reason to be: “I don’t know if we can talk about delay (from MHR). Toulouse is such a special club that it will take years before another one manages to be like it, with such a strong identity. But in Montpellier, we feel that things are changing, are more and more framed. It’s quite nice to play here. We are starting to change the image of the club. It is positive for the future. The title won validates a first step. To confirm, you have to look for others. But Montpellier is a young club, it has to find its place.” And find some extra stones for his slingshot.
To read also: the compositions of the match.
To read also: Montpellier-Toulouse derbies from Occitanie.
Six forwards on the MHR bench, the Retière in force
Yacouba Camara on the second line rather than Paul Willemse, and six forwards on the bench.
Here are the strong choices of the MHR staff when hosting Stade Toulousain this Sunday which, as expected, will do without Antoine Dupont, Anthony Jelonch and Peato Mauvaka at GGL Stadium.
The performances of Marco Tauleigne and Masivesi Dakuwaqa against Pau (43-17) last week convinced the staff to put them on the sheet. On the Toulouse side, the staff bet on an experimental hinge with the brothers Arthur and Edgar Retière.