the three challenges of the first clash of the Top 14 between the European champion and the French champion

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Montpellier is putting its title back into play. And the MHR begins its reconquest mission with one of the toughest tests in the Top 14: going to challenge La Rochelle in its Marcel-Deflandre lair, Saturday September 3 at 9:05 p.m. The formation of Philippe Saint-André is logically one of the favorites for the Shield of Brennus, in the same way as several other formations like his first opponent of the season. The meeting promises, both for the fiery atmosphere expected in Charente-Maritime and for the level of play that the two teams could produce.

In-game champion supremacy

It is a match of champions which does not bear the name. On the one hand, Montpellier champion of France for the first time in its history in 2022. On the other, La Rochelle, which added a first European Cup to its list. Two titles that we didn’t necessarily expect, trophies for outsiders who were able to defy the odds and go one step further in their progression. The course has passed, the time is now to confirm.

And if a first day match does not draw the outlines of an entire season, making an impression from the start always makes a good impression. “We have a new status, which we must assume and digestasserts Philippe Saint-André to AFP. We know the complexity of the Top 14 and we know that we will be the team to beat. It’s up to us to rise to the occasion.“The former coach of the France team could hardly hope for better opposition to gauge himself.

Hastoy – Carbonel, duel of rookies at the opening

The successes of the past few months have not, however, led Stade Rochelais and the Hérault supporter to rest on their laurels. The MHR is living a funny year in particular between the defense of its coronation and the transition with the retirements of two of its innkeepers Guilhem Guirado and Fulgence Ouedraogo. To remain competitive, the people of Montpellier have undergone a little rejuvenation, with the signature of international opener Louis Carbonel from Toulon at the head of the gondola. “He is a player full of temperament and flairrejoices Philippe Saint-André. He can reverse the bank to enter the France group before the World Cup. Through what he showed in training or during the friendly match against Lyon, we were not mistaken.“

La Rochelle is not to be outdone with many movements and the arrival of Antoine Hastoy (Pau), also a member of the France group. The second best scorer in the Top 14 last year hopes to follow the trajectory of his new club and take on another dimension with the Maritimes. Both Hastoy and Carbonel have no time to lose to assert themselves in their positions of responsibility. Two big potentials and a remote duel for a place in Blues for the World Cup at home next summer.

La Rochelle, a bastion to defend

This clash on Saturday will put an end to a statistical curiosity. At home, La Rochelle starts with a slight advantage, as Deflandre is an almost impregnable fortress: eleven wins for two defeats last year in the regular season (only Clermont had done better). Win Saturday, mission impossible for the MHR? This is however far from certain. If they had lost well in the quarter-finals of the European Cup (31-19) last season in La Rochelle land, Geoffrey Doumayrou’s teammates had won in hostile soil (23-29) in the league. Montpellier has even been undefeated since December 2020 – three wins – against Ronan O’Gara’s men.

The Héraultais will however find it difficult to fall into overconfidence. They have not won on the first day of the championship since 2017. The visitors will have to avoid the ignition delay in their quest for a double, with a busy schedule before the international tests next November. The troop of Philippe Saint-André must face Bordeaux-Bègles, Toulouse, Castres, Lyon or even Racing by the end of next month. “We will have to wake up immediately because the start of the championship is thick“, insists “PSA”.


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