MHR: How the Montpellier scrum has become a reference in the Top 14 in recent weeks ?

The scrum has been MHR's strong point since the start of the season. It torments every opponent. It did it again against Racing 92 (21-17) this Saturday, December 21.

He speaks with humility, as is often the case. “Sometimes, the touch wins matches. Sometimes, it's the scrum. This time, it was the scrum”, slipped Didier Bès, the boss of the sector at MHR, with his gravelly voice, after the precious victory against Racing 92 (21-17). Lately, it's mainly the scrum that has been imposing.

On Saturday, his men crushed their opponents in the field. Again. 6 penalties and a broken arm recovered in 80 minutes, as in the last two outings in the Top 14. The house price. “One time out of two, we recover a penalty, it's a treat”, savors scrum-half Léo Coly, in the front row every weekend.

This impressive dominance in the sector is far from being a coincidence. “I want people to see that we are working hard on the scrum”, Joan Caudullo confided recently. Wish granted.

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The manager can count on Didier Bès, one of the rare pure specialists in the championship. In addition, the former historic hooker, captain of the rise to the Top 16 in 2003, embodies the Montpellier DNA desired by the club. With his discreet, rough, almost rustic temperament, recalling the good old memories of the Sabathé era, Bès has made his pack a war machine in the showdown.

How he and the staff went about making it a reference in the Top 14 ? “Thanks to the quality of the players, obviously”, explains Bès. But not only that.

A XXL recruitment

Last summer, the Montpellier staff targeted its transfer window on the front lines. A left pillar (Nika Abuladze), a hooker (Jordan Uelese) and two right-footers (Wilfrid Hounkpatin, Mohamed Haouas). All four are internationals. They are all big names in the closed scrum sector.

“All the big clubs have three potential number ones in each position. For us, it's hard to choose. The one who is not in the squad complains a little, but that's also what we're looking for. We have to make him a weapon, it allows us to raise the level”, confides Didier Bès.

And even without Abuladze for a few weeks, Enzo Forletta and, above all, Baptiste Erdocio, are showing an impressive level at the left pillar position.

The other Georgian, the right-hander Luka Japaridze, has found his level again after having had multiple back problems this season last.

A real pre-season

Called in as an emergency measure at the beginning of December 2023 by Patrice Collazo, manager at the time, Didier Bès had to make do with the means at hand. “When you arrive during the season, bad automatisms have been created beforehand. It's more complicated to correct, even more so when you're under pressure like last year”, assures the 58-year-old.

“This year, I was able to start real preparation at the beginning of the summer, with my requests and expectations, specific work. We work a lot on everything that is posture, discipline. Then the scrum, like many things in rugby, is also a story of trust”, he continues.

Individual videos, discussions before, during and after the match with the referees, knowing your opponent, how the scrum works adverse… No detail is eluded. “Above all, my role is to bring good energy. It must not be something that is endured, it is very important”. Here is the recipe.

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