MHR: Willemse, Chalureau, Bouthier, Serfontein, Reinach… What future for players at the end of their contracts ?

Several MHR executives are coming to the end of their contracts next June. Files that the staff will focus on after the block of nine matches.

A rugby peculiarity ? The transfer market is played out almost a year in advance. Zach Mercer, who arrived in Montpellier in the summer of 2021, had been signed on July 1, 2020 by Philippe Saint-André, at the time. An example among others.

End of contracts, recruitment, loan returns… everything is generally wrapped up at the beginning of the fall. This year, at the MHR, "we give ourselves the block of nine matches to start discussing the various issues", assures the director of rugby, Bernard Laporte. That is, after November 2nd and a trip to Castres. A window that will allow the staff led by Joan Caudullo to chase away their doubts, or not, about certain players. To convince themselves, yes or no, to keep such and such a player.

Next June, there are a bunch of them, and not the least, who will reach the end of their lease in Hérault. Paul Willemse, Cobus Reinach, Bastien Chalureau, Jan Serfontein, Anthony Bouthier… Historic executives of the club, all aging, who are not sure to wear the Montpellier jersey next season. With the salary cap (10.7 million payroll) and the Jiff quota to respect (16 on average per match sheet), strong decisions will be made.

Reinach and Serfontein, towards the end of the adventure ?

"We can change the cycle in 2025. We have twelve players at the end of their contracts in 2025, so yes, it could be a renewal. We will recruit about ten players in the off-season, and maybe fifteen more in 2025. It takes two years to build a squad", assured Bernard Laporte last May. Enough to expect to see a squad shaken up next season.

According to our information, Reinach and Serfontein, respectively at the club since 2019 and 2017, should not be extended. Questions surround Julien Tisseron, Pierre Lucas or even the New Zealander George Bridge.

The tricky cases concern Chalureau (32 years old) and Willemse (31 years old). Two international second rows, with a rare and sought-after profile in France. The first has been eyed by Bordeaux-Bègles or Clermont for several months. As for the second, who is playing his tenth season, he finds himself in a situation he has never experienced before. His absences in recent years (injuries, French XV) and his big contract do not work in his favour. But his performances will be closely monitored over the next month, as he is one of the best in his position when he is at 100%.

The case of + 1

Before the end of the calendar year, the staff must also consider the issue of players with an optional year. Third row Sam Simmonds and hooker Vano Karkadze can exercise their +1 or not. Léo Coly is also in this case but his departure clause (around 400,000 euros) is enough to cool off interested clubs, such as Bordeaux-Bègles, Racing 92 or Stade Français.

Recruited last summer, pillar Mohamed Haouas and full-back Stuart Hogg are set to stay. The second is awaiting trial for harassment of his ex-wife, casting uncertainty over his future.

Recruitment-wise ? A scrum-half, a centre and a second row are among the priorities. But nothing official has leaked. On loan at Aurillac, centre Karl Martin (22 years old, 1.89m, 100kg) is appreciated by the staff and could return. For a time, Bordeaux fly-half Mateo Garcia (22 years old), Matthieu Jalibert's understudy, was courted. Everything should accelerate in November.

Players at the end of their contracts

– Mohamed Haouas, 30, prop.
– Vano Karkadze, 24, hooker (optional year).
– Paul Willemse, 31, second row.
– Bastien Chalureau, 32, second row.
– Sam Simmonds, 29, flanker.
– Léo Coly, 25, scrum-half (optional year).
– Ryan Louwrens, 33 years old, scrum-half.
– Cobus Reinach, 34 years old, scrum-half.
– Jan Serfontein, 31 years old, centre.
– George Bridge, 29 years old, winger.
– Pierre Lucas, 27 years old, centre/winger.
– Julien Tisseron, 29 years old, fullback.
– Anthony Bouthier, 32 years old, fullback.
– Stuart Hogg, 31 years old, fullback.

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