The champion of France is at the party.
And that's not really a surprise.
After lifting the Shield of Brennus last season, Montpellier was logically put forward during the Night of Rugby.
Thus, the English third line of the MHR,
Zach Mercer
, who will join Gloucester in June 2023, was voted best player in the Top 14 on Monday last season, at the end of which he had been one of the main architects of the first Shield of Brennus of the Hérault club.
Two years after his arrival in Hérault, the English international (2 caps) announced at the end of August that he was signing up with the "Cherry and White" (Premiership) in the hope of participating in the next Coupe du world in France (September 8 - October 28, 2023).
Mercer, who must evolve in an English club if he wants to be eligible for the XV de la Rose, succeeds the scrum half of Toulouse and the Blues
Antoine Dupont
, voted best player last year, and who retains his title of "best French international" this season.
Another Toulousaine, and another N.9, wins the Blue side bet:
Laure Sansus
, elected best player of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, thus succeeds Marjorie Mayans.
Both are in the group of 32 French players who will compete in the Women's World Cup in New Zealand from October 8.
#NuitDuRugby
The Best Player of TOP 14 2021-2022 is @Mercer8Zach (Montpellier)
🏆 Winner TOP 14
💪 26 games
🏉 2 tries
In association with @Paramourdurugby / @assurancerugby pic.twitter.com/mQPx4rIwgA
– TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) September 26, 2022
The young scrum-half
Léo Coly
, transferred from Mont-de-Marsan to Montpellier in the off-season, achieved a double for his part: best player in Pro D2 and revelation of the season.
His former coaches at the Stade Montois complete this performance, winning the title of “best Pro D2 staff”.
The coaching staff of the French champion, made up of manager
Philippe Saint-André
and coaches Olivier Azam (forward), Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (defense), Alexandre Ruiz (discipline) and Bruce Reihana (skills), was logically elected "best staff” of the Top 14.
Finally, Stade Rochelais scrum-half
Thomas Berjon
won the title of "most beautiful try" of last season, scored on the 21st day.
Palmares :
Best player in the Top 14: Zach Mercer (Montpellier)
Best Pro D2 player: Léo Coly (Mont-de-Marsan)
Revelation: Léo Coly (Mont-de-Marsan)
Best French international player: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
Best player of the XV of France: Laure Sansus (Toulouse)
Best referee: Mathieu Raynal
Best coaching staff in the Top 14: Montpellier
Best Pro D2 coaching staff: Mont-de-Marsan
Best essay: Thomas Berjon