Of the five French clubs playing their Champions Cup round of 16 first leg at home, Montpellier is the only one to have come out of it well, when Bordeaux-Bègles, Toulouse, Stade Français and Clermont tripped over each other. in the carpet.
The MHR dominated the Harlequins (40-26), reigning English champions, and can legitimately aim for a place in the quarter-finals of the continental event.
Except that the Héraultais can also harbor serious regrets since they led 34-0 in the 45th minute, before releasing their grip and letting the Londoners return to the match and believe in qualification.
But Montpellier manager Philippe Saint-André preferred to be positive:
“I see the glass half full.
It's the first time in history that there is a European final phase at home, moreover against the English champions, with a great crowd and fantastic conditions.
We do fifty minutes almost perfect.
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Therefore, how to approach the return match in this new format of confrontation?
The MHR has no intention of calculating and will boldly play their luck at Twickenham Stoop.
“It's hard to describe our feeling.
Of course we are happy because we put 40 points for the English champion.
But in our heads, we know that we have not finished the job
, “said Italian opener Paolo Garbisi at
Midi Libre
.
“Now that we have won and that we have a 14-point lead, we know that there is a strategy to follow in order to be able to take the next step,
explains third-row Yacouba Camara.
It will depend on the face of the match but we will try to keep them away.
The Harlequins will attack with foot to the floor and will finish thoroughly
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde
It is out of the question to manage and rely on this lead equivalent to two converted tries.
“We are going to approach this match by wanting to win it,
continues Garbisi.
To think that we have to go there defending our 14 points is the worst thing.
Now it's 0-0."
For this return match, Philippe Saint-André will rotate his squad.
The opener of the Springboks world champions, Handré Pollard, replacing last Saturday, should start in London.
Just like Guilhem Guirado, Florian Verghaeghe or Alexandre Bécognée.
“We are able to fight until the end”
“Philippe
(Saint-André)
is very transparent, the group had been prepared for that.
Whatever happens, and whatever the score, it's a kind of handover.
We focused on freshness.
There are guys who have things to show, others who have things to win.
There is a great story to build together
,” confirmed Jean-Baptiste Elissalde at a press conference.
And to add:
“Obviously we calculate a little.
We are torn between managing 14 points and increasing our lead.
Every point we score will bring us closer to the quarter-finals.”
We will have to resist the infernal rhythm that Marcus Smith's Harlequins will impose.
“They are going to attack with their feet to the floor and finish thoroughly,”
agrees Elissalde.
And to add: “
If they come back to our level, nothing will be lost.
We are capable of fighting until the end.
We must delay the moment when they could catch up with us.
We did not take the lead with the management of points.
No time to calculate.
