The reunion has sounded, and they promise to be tough. This Friday, in Top 14 final (8:45 p.m.), the Castres leader of the regular phase faces its Montpellier dolphin. An opponent that the Tarn club has dismissed several times from its path in recent years. In a play-off, often. In the final, too. At the end of the 2017-2018 financial year, Christophe Urios’ men had indeed won the day and raised a fifth shield of Brennus.
A match stuck in the throat of Fulgence Ouedraogo and his former partners, but also Montpellier supporters who saw their dream shattered twice (2011, 2018) in the past eleven seasons, while the CO have won two of the four finals played in the past nine years.
Montpellier therefore has every intention of taking its revenge and to finally register a line on his national record, on the strength of his success in the semi-final against Bordeaux that Philippe Saint-André’s men were able to stifle (19-10), in an Allianz Riviera transformed into a furnace, the weekend last.
And if the boys led by the former coach of the Blues appear diminished (Willemse, Fichten, Reinach), to challenge Castres winners of Toulouse in the round before (24-18), they remain no less solid. More united than everthose who flirted with relegation last season were able to raise their heads, puff out their chests and stick together to give the Hérault group the soul he had long seemed to seek.
Added to this is the ferocious desire to offer Guilhem Guirado, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Benoît Paillaugue, in particular, a triumphant exit. The first two, legends of French rugby, will be officially retired at the end of the game, while the third will pack up to rally Toulon, after a third of life devoted to the blue and white jersey.
Compositions
Philippe Saint-André has renewed the same team and essentially the same group as against UBB, in the semi-finals. Only Enzo Forletta, recovered from neck pain, appeared in the 23, on the bench, instead of Robert Rodgers. Fulgence Ouedraogo is not on the score sheet and will therefore have played the last game of his career when he received Racing. The manager had to make a choice, when he has all his third line.
On the side of Castres, we do not change a winning team either. Same starting fifteen, and same substitutes as against Toulousein the semi-finals.
France Bleu Hérault to experience the final!
Exceptional device, for this third final in the history of the MHR, on France Bleu Hérault, from 7 p.m. until midnight! With Philippe Montay in the studio: our commentator (Bertrand Queneutte), our consultant (Sébastien Kuzbik) and our special envoys to supporters (Bastien Thomas and Dorian Bonzom).
- 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: pre-match, live supporters, special envoys, guests
- 8:45 p.m.-Midnight: the full Castres – Montpellier, with Bertrand Queneutte and Sébastien Kuzbik from the Stade de France