MHR: “We want to show our true face”, MHR captain Lenni Nouchi announces his colours against Lyon

Le troisième ligne Lenni Nouchi a été désigné capitaine du MHR pour la saison 2024-2025. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Lenny Nouchi (20 years old), designated captain of the MHR this season, expresses his enthusiasm before opening the Top 14 season, this Saturday against Lyon. 

Lenni, you will wear the armband this season. Is it an additional responsibility ?

Yes, of course. First of all, it's nice to be captain to start the season. Then, the responsibilities, I think that last year, I had quite a few. Plus, I didn't expect it. So, I had to deal with it. This year, I had also prepared myself to have this responsibility. The coaches and players nominated me, along with Yacouba (Camara).

Have you digested last season, which saw Montpellier save its head during the access match against Grenoble ?

I didn't have much time to digest it because I left the next day with the French team (Tour in Argentina). It allowed me to think about something else, to discover another squad. Obviously, I had to quickly switch to the French team side. So, it did me good rugby-wise to be able to play with a team that was confident. There, all the players are confident.

Last year, we won the first match before losing eight in a row.

Is there an urgency to win first against Lyon, Saturday at the GGL Stadium ?

It's the beginning of the season, it's a paradoxical question. There's no rush. But if we win, it's better! Last year, we won the first game before losing eight in a row. The goal is to have continuity in what we do. Victory is one of our goals. We have to win on Saturday.

If the season goes badly, do you think you're mentally armed to handle the situation better than last year??

Honestly, I haven't thought about that yet. Right now, I only have one desire: to have fun with this team, for the whole team to have fun. We hope it goes well.

We need to find our DNA, the DNA of Montpellier

On the rugby side, what area(s) of the gamewould you like to improve?

I don't know, I'm not a coach. We need to find our DNA, the DNA of Montpellier, especially in the areas of the scrum, the lineout. We need to dominate like Montpellier dominated its opponents in the past. We need to find that strong point again. Afterwards, we need to succeed in reproducing in matches the launches that we put in place in training. That should do the trick.

To find that DNA again, how has the life of the group been reorganized??

All the coaches have been through Montpellier. They know the DNA, or they have known it, and that feels good. They know how this club works. Obviously, it is easier to instill the club's DNA in those who have just arrived. We try to transmit the good energies of this club and make them evolve together.

What does it mean to wear the MHR jersey??

It means a lot of things. It is a club that is quite young so, obviously, we have the responsibility to make it evolve. Last season, we didn't succeed. This year, we're going to try to show a better image of the players. We want to win games first. We'll think about the rest later.

Billy (Vunipola), that's Billy. He has had an exceptional career. Whenever he speaks, people listen.

Has the staff, inexperienced at this level, found its place and the right tone ?

Yes, especially since they are former players. Sometimes, I have that impression, they would like to put their boots back on! They have had careers as long as your arm, I think they will have no trouble adapting as a coach and giving us the right advice for the match.

Last year, the team's lack of character was criticized. Are the players seeking revenge??

It's not the same squad at all, a lot of players have left. The goal is just to show our true colors. We had entered such a negative spiral that we couldn't get out of it. Now, there are a lot of new players, a new staff.

What do new players like Billy Vunipola bring to you??

Billy, it's Billy. He has had an exceptional career. As soon as he speaks, people listen. He tries to bring his experience, like Stuart Hogg, like all the guys who have had exceptional careers. Now it's up to us to listen to them and follow their example to start the season off right.