Stade Français – MHR: “It’s a bit shameful”; Mercer's absence with England, the best of conf'

Richard Cockerill has a very insightful view of the England team and the MHR… – JEAN-MICHEL MART

After the crushing defeat in Toulouse (38-13) on Sunday, Montpellier travels to Stade Français, Saturday September 1 at 5 p.m. for the 3rd day of Top 14. Enzo Forletta, Thomas Darmon and Richard Cockerill were at the press conference of&#39 ;before match. Excerpts.

For pillar Enzo Forletta, there are no excuses to look for after the heavy defeat in Toulouse. "We missed out, it’s not the objectives set. To say that it was an accident would be to hide and say that it is not our responsibility, he assures us. "We are 100% in this failure, we must take our responsibilities, look ourselves in the face and react because what we did, it’ is far from being within the standards that we have set for ourselves. I don't know how to explain. I felt the group motivated, a desire to win during the week. Sometimes, this sport I don't understand… It’was a bit shameful what we did".

His teammate, center Thomas Darmon also insisted on the failing state of mind of the team at Ernest-Wallon. "We suffered. It’s more a question of desire, of state of mind, of wanting to send it all together. But I'm not worried about what we showed in preparation, he reassures. It’s a mistake, a match where we missed out. It could happen but I'm confident about the future. The first match, against La Rochelle, we made sure we could do things together."

"One more match like this and I'll be asked to leave…"

For his part, sports manager Richard Cockerill admits his disappointment with what the players showed in Toulouse. "Mentally, we weren’there for 20 minutes. This weekend will be important. I took stock with the players. Here, we defended on the line for 15 minutes without missing a tackle. But in 20 minutes in Toulouse, we missed everything. I'm not happy with that, I don't accept it. If we do this again in the next match, I will be told to leave. And that’s normal."

"Mercer's absence is weird"

The former assistant coach of the England team gave his feelings about the XV de la Rose for the World Cup. And his concerns… "For me, England can finish 2nd in their group. It’s a good team but at the moment it’s not the same team. There’s no energy it’s just… Pschitt."

As for the absence of former MHR player, Zach Mercer, from the selection, he also has his opinion: "he's not there . It’s weird, he’s a good player, a good combination with Curry and Lawes for example. But it’s crazy to me that he’s not here! If we don't make it to the quarter-finals, it's a disaster"

The Montpellier residents will challenge Stade Français on Saturday for the third day of Top 14.