MHR – Vannes: Montpellier looking for leaders to finally start getting their heads above water

Billy Vunipola (au centre) s’impose comme un des nouveaux leaders de l’équipe de Montpellier. Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

Dans une équipe de Montpellier en difficulté, les cadres peinent à émerger. Il faudra pourtant du caractère pour venir à bout de Vannes, samedi 12 octobre (16 h 30) au GGL Stadium.

This is a recurring problem within the Montpellier squad, that of a lack of identified leaders since the departure of the Ouedraogo-Guirado generation. The multiplication of captains and groups of leaders in recent seasons is the most concrete example.

However, there is no question of questioning the role of Lenni Nouchi and those who have taken on this role in recent times. Just the observation of a team that is sorely lacking a charismatic player to lead the troops into battle or shout out when the situation becomes critical.

“We have known this for a long time, whispers Geoffrey Doumayrou, the defense coach.There were some, two or three years ago. Since then, almost everyone has left. There are one or two who have arrived. There are perhaps one or two who have emerged. I am one of those who believe that a leader, you either are one or you are not."

Among these emerging leaders, the flanker Billy Vunipola is one of those who stands out. With his 74 caps in the England team, he has brought his experience of the very highest level. To the point of speaking in front of his teammates, as he did during the debriefing which followed the defeat against Bayonne. A strong moment that clearly left its mark on the locker room.

Leader by example

“Billy, he's arrived: he's a leader. He's a leader by behavior, by things like that”, assures Doumayrou. A role that the interested party does not necessarily claim but that he assumes. “I did not come here to tell the guys what to do. I am here to do the best I can. If that means being a leader, then so be it”, he advances calmly.

A leader of example for whom words must remain rare. “We must not talk too much, those who talk too much have no time to do anything else. My father used to say that you have one mouth to talk and one to eat. If you talk, you don't work. And it's important for me to show that I want to work”, smiles the Englishman. A weighty relay for the staff too, who can count on a boy who has played in three World Cups and who has integrated perfectly into the Hérault group.

And Montpellier will need him to finally succeed in getting its head above water.

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