miraculous winner in Grenoble, Montpellier remains in Top 14

The snub came very close for Montpellier. Trailing until the 77th minute during this promotion match, the MHR obtained its retention in the Top 14 thanks to a penalty from Louis Carbonel scored in the final minutes against Grenoble (20-18), Sunday June 16, at the stadium Alpes. For the Isérois, the 2023 scenario repeats itself, a week after their defeat in the Pro D2 final against Vannes. They will still play in the second division next year, while the Montpellier residents can take a breather.

Engaged in a fight for its maintenance but also for its honor, Montpellier and its plethoric squad destined to play at the top of the table in Top 14, offered themselves a dream start to the match. Deprived of Sam Simmonds, Arthur Vincent or even Anthony Bouthier, the MHR benefited from several favorable counterattacks before seeing Ben Lam flatten the first try, a few minutes before the New Zealander was decisive to offer the second to Gabriel N’ Gandebe (14-3, 14th). But the locals reversed the situation perfectly. In contact thanks to the boot of Sam Davies, they found the goal twice, thanks to hooker Barnabé Massa and center Terrence Hepetema to reach the locker room in the lead (18-14).

Very tense, the second act was much more closed and Montpellier was able to count on the reliability at the foot of its opener Louis Carbonel, author of two decisive penalties, including that of the winner, four minutes from the siren. A success which contrasts with the eight points abandoned against the poles by Grenoble, for whom the blow was tough. Beyond reliving the same disappointments as last year, the FCG had to recover from eight penalty points inflicted during the season. After a brilliant end to the championship, the Isérois nevertheless managed to secure a ticket for the final stages before giving in just a stone’s throw from the Top 14.