MHR: hard blow for Anthony Bouthier injured in the knee, which back for the end of the season ?

Anthony Bouthier s'est grièvement blessé au genou contre Perpignan. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

L’arrière du MHR, Anthony Bouthier, souffre d’une rupture du ligament croisé du genou et ne devrait pas jouer avant 2025.

The Montpellier staff didn't need that. At the end of last week, they learned the bad news about one of their (only) key players, Anthony Bouthier (31 years old). The international full-back (8 caps) is suffering from a torn cruciate ligament in his knee, having limped off against Perpignan (20-25 defeat). His return to competition should take place in 2025, the year his contract with Hérault ends.

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In the midst of their mission to survive in the elite, the MHR is losing one of their field and locker room captains. And a Jiff (a player from the French team). This detail is important given how far behind the club has fallen in this area.

Bridge, Tisseron and De Nardi candidates for number 15

Manager Patrice Collazo and attack coach Vincent Etcheto will therefore have to review their plan for the full-back position. Julien Tisseron (28 years old) and Alexandre De Nardi (25 years old) are the candidates for the position.

The former has started 22 matches at number 15 out of the 76 matches he has played in Hérault since his arrival in 2020. He is the favourite, a priori, to take on the starting role.

For the second, he was part of the satisfactions during the bonus victory at Racing 92 (20-44) last February. He has rarely disappointed in each of his appearances (7 in the Top 14 this year) but he has less experience in this championship.

Read also: After its defeat against Usap, MHR no longer has all the cards in hand to ensure its maintenance in the Top 14

Finally, there is the George Bridge alternative. Very little used since the start of 2024 (3 appearances in all competitions), the All Black with 19 caps delivered a very good performance against Usap. A winger at kick-off, he slipped to the back after Bouthier's injury. He reassured on his coverage from the back of the field and was dangerous with the ball in hand. His drawback: he is not Jiff.

It should be noted that the versatile Thomas Darmon has already helped out in this position in the past.

For this end of the season under tension, the Montpellier staff will have to choose among these players to occupy the full-back position. Starting with this Saturday, May 11 (5 p.m.) and the trip to Castres, a match counting for the 23rd day of the Top 14.

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