MHR-Usap: “We are preparing for any eventuality”, Montpellier residents aware of the challenges of the final sprint

Patrice Collazo et les Montpelliérains dos au mur contre l’Usap. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Le MHR sait qu’une victoire est impérative contre l’Usap ce samedi 27 avril pour espérer éviter une place de barragiste. État des lieux à Montpellier avant le choc.

The media exercise is complicated. Cruel even, sometimes. In times of doubt, it becomes a chore. And often, it's the experienced players who are sent to the “pipebreaker”. Bastien Chalureau (32 years old) will not say the opposite. The Montpellier second line appeared at a press conference on Wednesday, three days before the match against Usap, to take stock of the MHR situation.

This season is the club's worst since the start of the Altrad era in 2011. The team remains on four consecutive defeats (including three in the Top 14), an embarrassing 13th place overall, a play-off place which looms… The subjects were more joyful.

"Unconsciously, we have it in our heads"

So, in the locker room, are we talking about this play-off position ? Are we preparing for a "muerte" the weekend of June 15-16 against the loser of the Pro D2 final ? "We avoided talking about it until the match’ ;nbsp;against Toulon (50-7 defeat, last March 23) which is the pivotal moment. We realized that we would no longer play mid-table. We are going to host big matches like Usap, Toulouse, going to Castres is complicated. We are moving forward step by step and if we are still late at the end of the season we will play a play-off. We are preparing for any eventuality", assures Chalureau.

"We haven't said it yet but unconsciously, the dam, we have it in our heads"< /em>, slides the opening half on its side Louis Carbonel.