Heineken Cup P6: Toulon vs Montpellier - 14/10/2012

[Feicarsinn]

Stade Félix Mayol, Toulon - 14/10/2012 (21:00)

TV: Canal+/Sky Sports​

 

[Tony Manx]

The game of the round and not to be missed by the neutral.............................the might of Toulon against the brains of Galthie.

I have to go with Toulon if only I believe that they have the squad, the team work and management structure in the club to do the double this year.

Would be good to see Montpellier put one over but don't see it - come a few weeks too soon and without too many Argentinians (presuming they have to rest?)...................go on Gaston prove me wrong (not difficult!!).

 

[psychic duck]

The game of the round and not to be missed by the neutral.............................the might of Toulon against the brains of Galthie.

I have to go with Toulon if only I believe that they have the squad, the team work and management structure in the club to do the double this year.

Would be good to see Montpellier put one over but don't see it - come a few weeks too soon and without too many Argentinians (presuming they have to rest?)...................go on Gaston prove me wrong (not difficult!!).

Yes it is to be missed, juding by last year's weak side Montpellier played (with the exception of the matches against Leinster who they played a stronger side against) they will likely roll over and rest players for the Top 14 and think they have no hope of beating Toulon away anyway. Also Toulon aren't the most attractive side either.

 

[Tony Manx]

Have to disagree about the not attractive bit, there were some gems amongst Toulon's movement (especially their first try which is one of the best I have seen this season from their half) here last weekend.......I would not be surprised to see Montpellier taking this a little more seriously than previously but we shall see and, of course, all comments are and always must be subject to the selection proviso!

 

[psychic duck]

Have to disagree about the not attractive bit, there were some gems amongst Toulon's movement (especially their first try which is one of the best I have seen this season from their half) here last weekend.......I would not be surprised to see Montpellier taking this a little more seriously than previously but we shall see and, of course, all comments are and always must be subject to the selection proviso!

What makes you think that. This was their side which played Glasgow last season (not one first choice player), what makes you think they will have a different attitude this year?

[TABLE="class: matchteams matchteams_aa, width: 0"]
<tbody>[TR="class: player"]
[TD="align: center"]15[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Jean-Baptiste Peyras Loustalet[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Pierre Bérard[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]13[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Paul Bosch[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Thomas Combezou[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Yoan Audrin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Ilian Perraux[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Eric Escande[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Goderzi Shvelidze[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Mickael Ladhuie[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Kévin Kervarec[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Joe Tuineau[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Drickus Hancke[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Vassili Bost[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Rémy Martin (capt)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: namea player, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD="class: namea player, align: center"]Masi Matadigo[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[Feicarsinn]

I could see them taking it a bit more seriously too in fairness. Last year was their first year in the competition in a while (ever?) and they were drawn with the champions and favourites. After failing to win their home game against Leinster they knew they'd always struggle to get top spot in the group. Add that to the fact that they were missing large amounts of their first team for the start of the Top 14 due to the WC, meaning they had to put a lot of effort in domestically to play catch up, and you can understand why they didn't give the HC their all. This year however they have an easier draw and have had a better start to the league than last season. They may well fancy getting out of their group, and after that anything could happen.

 

[welshglory]

What makes you think that. This was their side which played Glasgow last season (not one first choice player), what makes you think they will have a different attitude this year?

[TABLE="class: matchteams matchteams_aa, width: 0"]
<tbody>[TR="class: player"]
[TD="align: center"]15[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Jean-Baptiste Peyras Loustalet[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Pierre Bérard[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]13[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Paul Bosch[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Thomas Combezou[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Yoan Audrin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Ilian Perraux[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Eric Escande[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Goderzi Shvelidze[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Mickael Ladhuie[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Kévin Kervarec[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Joe Tuineau[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Drickus Hancke[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Vassili Bost[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: player"]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: namea, align: center"]Rémy Martin (capt)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: namea player, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD="class: namea player, align: center"]Masi Matadigo[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

They played a pretty damn strong team against Leinster first up though and they nearly (and should have) damn won it.

 

[psychic duck]

They played a pretty damn strong team against Leinster first up though and they nearly (and should have) damn won it.

Yes but that and to a lesser extent the other Leinster match was the only time they played a decent team.

 

[welshglory]

Yes but that and to a lesser extent the other Leinster match was the only time they played a decent team.

Well that's not what you said. You implied that they didn't take it seriously from the get go. They played a pretty strong team away at Bath as well.

So why wouldn't they field a strong team for the first match? They've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Unless they believe there is no chance of beating Toulon in Toulon, which would be understandable. The other teams in the group are Cardiff and Sale, both really crap teams. Surely they would play a fairly strong team against them.

If they lose the first 2/3 matches then i can see them not taking it too seriously.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yes it is to be missed, juding by last year's weak side Montpellier played (with the exception of the matches against Leinster who they played a stronger side against) they will likely roll over and rest players for the Top 14 and think they have no hope of beating Toulon away anyway. Also Toulon aren't the most attractive side either.

Well that's not what you said. You implied that they didn't take it seriously from the get go. They played a pretty strong team away at Bath as well.

So why wouldn't they field a strong team for the first match? They've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Unless they believe there is no chance of beating Toulon in Toulon, which would be understandable. The other teams in the group are Cardiff and Sale, both really crap teams. Surely they would play a fairly strong team against them.

If they lose the first 2/3 matches then i can see them not taking it too seriously.

That is what he said.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Toulon side:

15. Delon Armitage
14. Vincent Martin
13. Maxime Mermoz
12. Matt Giteau
11. David Smith
10. Jonny Wilkinson
9. Frédéric Michalak
8. Chris Masoe
7. Steffon Armitage
6. Pierrick Gunther
5. Jocelino Suta
4. Bakkies Botha
3. Carl Hayman
2. Sébastien Bruno
1. Andrew Sheridan

16. Mickaël Ivaldi
17. Gethin Jenkins
18. Virgile Bruni
19. Mathieu Bastareaud
20. Benjamin Lapeyre
21. Sébastien Tillous-Borde
22. Simon Shaw
23. Davit Kubriashvili


Montpellier:

15. Lucas González Amorosino
14. Yoan Audrin
13. Matt Carraro
12. Paul Bosch
11. Yohann Artru
10. Ilian Perraux
9. Julien Tomas
8. Johnnie Beattie
7. Rémy Martin
6. Alex Bias
5. Mickaël De Marco
4. Dirkus Hancke
3. Maximiliano Bustos
2. Mickaël Ladhuie
1. Yvan Watremez

16. Agustín Creevy
17. Nahuel Lobo
18. Giorgi Jgenti
19. Aliki Fakate
20. Mamuka Gorgodze
21. Benoit Paillaugue
22. Pierre Bérard
23. Timoci Nagusa

 

[psychic duck]

Montpellier:

15. Lucas González Amorosino
14. Yoan Audrin
13. Matt Carraro
12. Paul Bosch
11. Yohann Artru
10. Ilian Perraux
9. Julien Tomas
8. Johnnie Beattie
7. Rémy Martin
6. Alex Bias
5. Mickaël De Marco
4. Dirkus Hancke
3. Maximiliano Bustos
2. Mickaël Ladhuie
1. Yvan Watremez

No Figallo, Creevy, Jgenti, Privat, Ouedraogo, Gorgodze, Tulou, Trinh-Duc, Nagusa, Hape or Bustos Moyano from the first choice XV.

Looks like they've basically conceded this match.

 

[Thingimubob]

Remy Martin! I havent seen that guy play since I saw him get kicked in the face by Gareth Thomas just metres away from where I was standing in the Arms Park,last time Cardiff played Stade Francais

 

[Tony Manx]

No Figallo, Creevy, Jgenti, Privat, Ouedraogo, Gorgodze, Tulou, Trinh-Duc, Nagusa, Hape or Bustos Moyano from the first choice XV.

Looks like they've basically conceded this match.

Come on Gaston....................what's going on?

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Out of the only two "real" 12s we have in France, one was the best of a pretty average bunch in the match that just finished, and the other one is starting for Toulon in a few hours. A shame he's playing 13 though...

 

[Tony Manx]

Before we get going, can I say what a huge shame it is that Montpellier have come up with their seconds (ELEVEN changes) and Galthie was clear in saying it was because they have played 8 matches in the Top 14 and want to rest their players. This demeans the competition no matter why it is done and I hoped that those days were over and that this competition was being taken seriously by all French clubs......there are so many Argentians to come back that the players could have been rested at that time..................and not all of their best players need to be rested at the same time surely!!!!

Cue Gaston...................

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Montpellier 2 XV looking ok at the moment.

 

[Tony Manx]

Montpellier 2 XV looking ok at the moment.

They have some very good second stringers as they showed in last year's cup but what could they be doing if they had their first string out?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Try for Toulon.

Toulon starting to get into this match.

 

[Tony Manx]

Toulon playing at a very slow pace and certainly much less than they played against us last week.......word I would use is subdued!