For their fourth confrontation of the season, Montpellier and Perpignan meet at the Septeo Stadium, Saturday April 18 (4:30 p.m.). With different ambitions.
They definitely never leave each other… Montpellier will meet up with Usap for the fourth, and last time, this season in an official match. The Héraultais are aiming for the grand slam after winning at Aimé-Giral in a preseason match (24-34), “away” in the Top 14 (0-28 in Béziers, 10th day), then at home (53-13, at Septeo in Challenge). The MHR also remains on a series of four consecutive successes against the Catalans.
And if on the Montpellier side we are still chasing two hares (a place in the final phase of the Top 14 and the semi-final of Challenge), Laurent Labit’s men are now focused on the accession barrier which awaits them at the end of the championship. Their objective is to test themselves outside to best prepare for this crucial end-of-season meeting. Despite an infirmary still full to bursting (seven players on the flank) and which the colossus Posolo Tuilagi joined this week, Usap therefore has a real objective.
If he wants to ensure his place in the top 6, the MHR must refuel at home and if possible including bonuses. “They put Racing in difficulty at home. They played very interesting away matches. They are ready to put in a big performance, procrastinates Joan Caudullo the Hérault manager. What I want from us is continuity of performance. And really don’t stop at the result from two weeks ago, because it’s another game.”
“Not at all the same match”
“We’re not trying to think too much because it’s not at all going to be the same match as in Challenge, similarly assures the pillar Baptiste Erodcio. This will be the fourth time we play this season. And we have three victories. Me, I’m a little afraid of the trap. So, it’s up to us to be focused and to be at 200% to win this derby. It’s going to be very complicated. We only have them to lose. We have to come together and do everything we can to be good on Saturday.”
“There are still tough matches ahead. We have to be able to win our home matches and collect bonus points everywhere, Caudullo breathes again. We cannot let go of any match. Every weekend, we have to recover points.”
Annoyed by their defeat in Challenge, the Catalans warned from the final whistle of the last match. “We keep it in the back of our minds”promised winger Maxime Granell. “We have to be more killer for the next match in two weeks here. If we don’t get offended, it’s going to be complicated”assured Mattéo Le Corvec. A new fight is coming…
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