“The danger would be to say that certain things are acquired”: before MHR-Bayonne, Montpellier does not want to relax

MHR hosts Aviron Bayonnais this Saturday, January 4 (4:30 p.m.) at the GGL Stadium, a match counting for the 14th day of the Top 14.

That's the cruelty of being a parent. Satisfying your children in a 100% fair way is sometimes a difficult challenge. This Saturday, dad will in any case make one or more disappointed children. But no doubt dad prefers to make several. “I have two boys and a girl. The boys are for Aviron. My daughter, who was born in Montpellier when I was a player, is more for MHR”, smiles Antoine Battut, former coach and third row of Aviron Bayonnais.

Exceptionally, and secretly, the current boss of the touchline of the Hérault club will ensure that only his daughter has a smile at the final whistle tonight. A wish far from impossible, but oh so difficult.

Saturday, it is the third equal that shows up at the GGL Stadium, winner of eight of its last ten matches in all competitions. How far away the feverish Basque club of the beginning of the season seems, hardly sure of its strength… Today, Manu Tuilagi's gang is taken seriously. “I really enjoy watching them play with my boys. They are not here by chance. I think it is a team that is growing well, that is evolving well, that has put in the resources for two seasons. The recruitment was judicious. There are international stars, players experienced in the Top 14. They are on the right path”, assures Battut, assistant to former manager Yannick Bru between 2020 and 2022.

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“For the first time in a very long time, we is in the first half of the table”

Montpellier can start to share the same analysis. Since the end of October and the demonstration against La Rochelle (16-0), Joan Caudullo's men have been gaining momentum, bringing back points from each trip. The success in Clermont (18-22) last weekend ticked an additional box, that of paying the scalp of a big team in the championship away.

Result, the Héraultais are on three consecutive victories in Top 14 and have given themselves some breathing space at the bottom of the general classification. An unprecedented situation for the staff. “For the first time in a very long time, we are in the top half of the table. The danger would be to say that certain things are acquired, when no, especially not”, warns Battut.

The fear of an unconscious relaxation exists at the MHR. The current situation, the most comfortable in 18 months, lends itself to it. And a great sage with glasses, an imposing silhouette and whose initials are C.U., recently declared: “If you win away but you can't confirm at home, it's like dancing a slow dance with your sister, it's no use.”

Behind this heartfelt poetry, lies the truth. If Montpellier grasps and respects this thought, it will ensure a warm January. The next three weeks are reserved for the Challenge and a trip to Toulouse (January 25-26, 15th day of Top 14), a success for Billy Vunipola's teammates would allow them to go on vacation at the end of the month with a truly light mind. And that is priceless after so many months of struggle.