Grenoble-MHR with the old ones: “The history of the club has always been a story of men, they have to put their heart into it”

Michel Macurdy, Jérémy Valls, Pascal Cances, Jean-Pierre Bascou, Jean-Paul Galletier, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Jean-Jacques Sauveterre. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

Nobody expected Montpellier to compete in the jump-off to avoid the descent. A trap match ? A match impossible to lose ? What do the former glories of the club think ? From the MRC to the MHR, from Sabathé to the GGL stadium.

Michel Macurdy, Jean-Paul Galletier, Jean-Pierre Bascou, Jérémy Valls and Jean-Jacques Sauveterre. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

They all proudly wore the Montpellier colors. For the oldest, Jean-Pierre Bascou, it was even at the time of Muc and Stade Montpelliérain. The youngest, the whole Ovalie knows him, an international who has only known one club, from his training to retirement: Fufu Ouedraogo. Glorious captains, Pascal Cances and Jean-Paul Galletier were also there, during the Sabathé era. Jean-Jacques Sauveterre, former pillar before becoming president of the club, is also present. Former second row Michel Macurdy is the latest to arrive. They came to speak to the press at Midi Libre. Sunday, this famous play-off match, Montpellier must win it. Or at least not lose it, as you wish. At their level, they have a role to play. Yes but which one ? How to encourage the new generation ? Pass on their energy, their passion ?

"The first thing is to show solidarity with the players"

Jean-Paul Galletier goes first : "The first thing is to show solidarity with the players. Always, here, when you look at the history of the club, whatever the name, whatever the institution, the story has been that of the players, it has been a story of players above all, a story of men, with a heart like that. Even when rugby was not a flagship sport in the city. If the guys want to make it on Sunday, they have to put their heart into it." He adds: "Everything else, what happens around it, is anecdotal."

"On paper, the gap is significant"

Montpellier, French champion two years ago. A priori, is one of the big players in the Top14, with its stars, its internationals, its XXL staff, really in danger against a team of ProD2 ? The discussion is launched, the tone is Seriously, none of these former players are boasting. Michel Macurdy: "On paper, okay, the gap is significant, logically, Montpellier is above. But, there, it’s a cleaver match." The discussion takes place. Jean-Jacques Sauveterre: "In a match, a lot of things can happen!" They fear the act of play: a red card for a bad tackle, a failure of the scorer… hellip; Pascal Cances: "These are two teams that lack confidence. Montpellier doubts, but Grenoble also doubts." Sauveterre resumes: "It’s sure, all it takes is a dot… Grenoble is also a great club, a great team. It's not putting pressure on our players but I don't think they miss each other. I rather think that they will want to clean up what happened this season."

Michel Macurdy and Jean-Paul Galletier. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

Pascal Cances says he met Bastien Chalureau."They were coming out of a high-intensity workout which went well. They are good. What I replied to him ? Nothing, I listened to him." Fulgence Ouedraogo speaks: "The situation is difficult, it’s a stressful match. We can give them our support through presence and kindness. The goal is for him not to be paralyzed by the issue. But Grenoble also has pressure." They all discuss previous play-offs that they have competed in in their careers. Galletier and Sauveterre recall the similar experiences of their sons, Kélian and Thomas.

"Drawing on the things that have been positive this season"

Cances resumes : "We must not tremble, show Grenoble all our respect. But, afterwards, with the team that we had…" Jérémy Valls arrived. The former fly half has a special status since he is in the current staff, in charge of the kicking game. For him, giving confidence to the players is obvious: "We still have around ten players who were French champions two years ago. And we've been preparing for this match for three weeks. Grenoble, they only had one week. Giving them confidence also means building on the things that have been positive this season. There was !" Of course, there was the home defeat against Oyonnax at the start of the season, but there was also this improved victory at Racing, then at the top of the table. Jérémy Valls continues: "Me, when I read this sentence from Eric Béchu which is written in the corridors, it marks me. He said: "We have to do something exceptional". Now is the time, we have to do something exceptional: keep the club in the Top14. In terms of emotion, that’s something. I experienced it in the staff with Perpignan. The guys are still talking about it." Cances : "It’s the same adrenaline as a final.& ;quot;

Pascal Cances and Michel Macurdy. Midi Libre – RAYAN DEWALQUE

It remains to discuss the appearance of the match. Will the difference be made from the start by imposing yourself as a boss? Or at the end, with physical freshness? Valls: "The first thirty minutes, it's going to be a struggle everywhere." He's confident. Fufu: "If we take them from the start, there will be no match. Otherwise, being in until the 60th minute and after, our physical power should take over." All agree. Sauveterre: "The first ten minutes, if we move them, if we defend like dogs, it will be fine." He concludes: "We suffered with them all year. This season, they will want to erase it. I am sure that they will win, maintain, and that next season will be huge." Come on kids!

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