“This MHR-Usap is worth its weight in gold”: Guilhem Guirado analyzes the challenges and the state of form of Montpellier and Perpignan

Guilhem Guirado, le Catalan qui a fini sa carrière par un Bouclier de Brennus avec Montpellier. L'INDEPENDANT – MICHEL CLEMENTZ

The MHR welcomes Perpignan this Saturday April 27 in a derby which promises to be incandescent. The Catalan Guilhem Guirado, who played in both clubs, takes stock of the dynamics of the two clubs.

The DNA of blood and gold flows through his veins, he, the native of Céret. But Guilhem Guirado is now forever linked to Montpellier. The Brennus won in 2022 put a point of honor on his titanic career. This Saturday, he will be in the stands to see his favorite club arrive at the home of his latest love. On the one hand, he wants to see Usap at its highest, riding the wave of recent weeks. On the other hand, he refuses to see the MHR sink to the bottom of the ranking. Maintenance.

Usap

Have you been impressed by Perpignan over the past few months ?

Yes and no. They had this famous breakthrough away at the end of December (victory in Castres, 13-17) which propelled them. They are impressive with the ball in hand, very consistent. I am also not surprised by the work done by Franck (Azéma, the coach) and all of his staff. Franck is uncompromising. He is a hard worker and he has instilled a new method. And I say that without comparing negatively to Patrick (Arlettaz). But it’s true that Franck has another expertise. Another experience too. He coached Usap in the good years, Clermont and Toulon.

Franck Azéma was able to withstand four defeats in a row at the start of the season…

It started off very badly. In Perpignan, in general, we draw conclusions very quickly. When things are bad, we want to make a decision quickly. There, we knew that there was going to be a transition. So the club remained reasonable. He understood that it took time to build, to trust. It paid off.

Guilhem Guirado in the Usap jersey in 2010. Midi Libre – MAX BERULLIER

What does the game of Usap, known to be spectacular, inspire you??

When you carry the ball like that, you maintain some control. But it’s energy-intensive. The forwards must do a colossal job, always ensuring the continuity of the game by being supportive. Sometimes, you are at the breaking point physically, especially around the 50th, often the tipping point of matches. If the opposing team resists, you put yourself in danger. For the moment, it's working for him.

Against Lyon (51-20), but also Racing (26-5) and Toulouse (27-17) recently, the match was close until the 50th. But the latter end up giving in to the Catalan waves. It shows the work done by the staff, the players. When I see that an Ecochard-McIntyre hinge has been installed, that a Tommaso Allan has been replaced at the rear… hellip; The choices are relevant. We must not be afraid to say that Perpignan plays very good rugby, takes a lot of risks while it is not as confident as a team like Stade Français in the ranking.

The top 6 is playable according to you?

You see, in all the declarations, everyone remains modest. The four defeats in a row at the start of the season are still fresh in our minds. These periods of doubt, where you come close to an internal crisis, force you to remain humble. You have a complex calendar, the 6th is still three points… You have to keep your feet on the ground. And the club maintains its guideline: ensuring maintenance as quickly as possible.

We have the impression that nothing scares this team.

She arrives with maximum confidence. She also feels that the Catalan public is responding. They have sold out six times in a row. The spectators inevitably begin to dream. You have no control over that. The club, for its part, must remain reasonable. He knows that everything can happen very quickly. The Catalan supporters had some great moments. They tasted it again in Pro D2 but it doesn’t have the flavor of the Top 14.

Dreaming is part of hope. It's better to have that than to think only about maintaining it. The top 6 will depend on several parameters. This weekend's match is already high stakes. Usap will never consider itself a different club and will display excessive ambitions. No one is going to get carried away internally. In this sport, when you lack humility, modesty, respect, you take it in the face.

Montpellier

How do you view the MHR ?

A lot of things have changed at the club. There was this failed start to the season. Richard (Cockerill) failed to absorb the culture. It was difficult for the club because it thought it could enter a new dimension in the wake of the title, even if the post-title years are always complicated.

We sense an irregular team.

The Challenge has done a lot of good, restored confidence. The Montpellier residents got off to a very good start in the championship straight away. But there was this mistake in Toulon where they took fifty points (54-7). It was a big setback. Behind, they continue with a defeat at home. There, they have difficulty getting by. Trust is at an all-time low.

An expression marked me in rugby: "Confidence is gained in grams and lost in kilos”. What is difficult in these situations is to build a state of confidence. spirit.

Guilhem Guirado at tackle against Castres in the Top 14 final in June 2022. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Do you think they can leave the roadblock place ?

They have five matches left, including confrontations against direct competitors like Lyon, Clermont or Perpignan. These will be double count matches, hot for maintenance.

Given their position, they cannot afford to neglect a potential 13th place at the end of the year, the idea of ​​playing the season in a play-off match. You imagine a Béziers-Montpellier ? It could make for an exceptional match, like Biarritz-Bayonne.

The Montpellier scenario in Pro D2, can you imagine it?

It would hurt me, especially for everything that has been created and built since the club's rise to the Top 14. Sometimes, a question arises: should we go down to start again, restructure ? I don’t believe it. It’s so important to stay at the top level. The club was built to have ambitions in the championship.

What is your prediction for this weekend?

For me, the key to the match will be Montpellier's defense. If the MHR manages to contain Perpignan's offensive play well and is disciplined, they can win. But if Perpignan takes the lead in the game, it could be very dangerous. I can't wait to see this opposition because it may be worth its weight in gold.