There was tension. And, with each ball scratched in the rucks, cries of joy from the bottom of their hearts invaded the GGL Stadium. This Saturday, Montpellier won its first success in the Top 14 since August 20 and a success against La Rochelle, beating Castres (30-21), with three tries from Jan Serfontein, Marco Tauleigne and Arthur Vincent. After eight consecutive defeats in the championship, the MHR remains on three successes in a row, thanks to the two successes acquired in the European Cup.
“This victory was really important, it feels really good, it’s been a while since we felt that way,” rejoiced Arthur Vincent at the Canal+ microphone at the end of the meeting. We had to surf on these two weeks in the European Cup which did us good. In terms of state of mind, we were impeccable, and we must continue like that. It’s still a game, you have to have fun. There are still things to work on. »
This victory is also the first of the Bernard Laporte era at MHR. Less than a year after his conviction in a case of active corruption, the former boss of French rugby returned in force to the Hérault club in mid-November, as director of rugby, changing the entire organization chart. In his suitcases, he brought Patrice Collazo as general manager, Vincent Etcheto, who takes care of the three-quarters, as well as the duo Christian Labit and Antoine Battut, in charge of the forwards.