“I told myself that I would tell him after the match”: Lenni Nouchi recounts his first captaincy and his meeting with Siya Kolisi

Lenni Nouchi n'avait pas l'air d'être intimidé par son capitanat samedi soir. MHR – BAPTISTE SOULE

Lenni Nouchi, 20 ans, a guidé le Montpellier Hérault Rugby à sa première victoire à l'extérieur. Un succès bonifié au Racing 92 (44-20) porteur d'espoir pour la suite.

If a rugby beginner discovered him on TV on Saturday afternoon, he would surely have said to himself: "Who is this captain? of the MHR ? I've never seen him but he seems to hold his guys well." Lenni Nouchi often has this effect at first sight. He only has 20 traps but he does ten more. Physically, already, with his Scandinavian lumberjack face. But also on the field, where his frame imposes itself in the Montpellier pack. For the trip to Racing last weekend, the Hérault staff put a piece on him to put on the armband. To try to score a hit with one of the "big" of the Top 14. Well done.

Also read:"Obviously, we don't do things like everyone else" : reactions after the MHR victory at Racing 92

"We wanted energy and carefreeness. When I proposed Lenni to the staff, I was told: "Fuck, yeah"", remembers manager Patrice Collazo. "Patrice and Bernard took me into their office during the week. I admit, I was quite surprised, smiled the person concerned on Saturday evening, quite proud to have brought down Racing 92 ( 44-20) at the Paris Défense Arena, in a more than accomplished match.

The U20 world champion facing the double world champion

Saturday, around 4:25 p.m., we would have liked to be a little mouse. Just to see Lenni Nouchi's face at the time of the toss. The world champion captain with the French U20 team last year bet on heads or tails with a monster of this sport: the double springbok world champion captain, Siya Kolisi (32 years old). Quite an anecdote to tell on a Sunday lunchtime with the family. We imagine dad Samuel, former second line of Montpellier and Béziers, with a smile of pride.

💬😅 Lenni Nouchi traduit par Paul Costes après le sacre des Bleuets#lequipeRUGBY #FRAIRL #IRLFRA pic.twitter.com/vk6ygSnJrz

— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) July 14, 2023

In an extremely busy position, Lenni Nouchi is gaining more and more momentum. The Montpellier staff and management are keeping a very watchful eye on his progress. A bit like a Posolo Tuilagi, the player's performances attract outside attention. The MHR would be on the right track to sign him a long-term contract. That wouldn't be a bad idea…

I subscribe to read more