“We're behind them all the way”: how the “Made in MHR” staff operates, as Stade Toulousain arrives on Saturday

Joan Caudullo et son staff trouvent petit à petit des repères. Le travail fourni a été récompensé d’une précieuse victoire à Perpignan. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

MHR welcomes Stade Toulousain this Saturday, September 21, a few days after a controlled victory against Perpignan (26-7). A victory also for the staff, in search of benchmarks and experience.

This post-match beer surely tasted like champagne. A first vintage that the staff will remember. The victory against Perpignan (26-7) last weekend is the first of this Montpellier 2.0, completely renewed this summer with the slogan “Made in MHR” as its doctrine. “It's the success of the players”, Joan Caudullo slipped in, modestly and skillfully.

But secretly, we can't help but think of the feeling of personal satisfaction felt by the manager and his coaches. Especially after some imagined a start to the season with five defeats in a row. The words of center Thomas Darmon last Saturday spoke volumes: “We absolutely wanted to win for them. The players wanted to give back what they have given since they joined the staff. We are fully behind them.”

The players' support, this is the second victory for Caudullo & co. Despite their inexperience, they are all pushing in the same direction. Relations are good. The organization is clear. And when there is hesitation, they can rely on Didier Bès (in charge of the scrum) and his twenty years of training, or Bernard Laporte, present at all training sessions.

Didier Bès in the middle of an exchange with Antoine Battut. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

"I didn't expect them to switch so quickly"

"At the beginning of the season, we held a staff seminar. We set up a framework with rules for each person, a square to respect. If we go beyond this square, we're in a red zone", explains Caudullo.

After two months of working together, the seven coaches (*) are finding their feet. But perfect chemistry takes time. “Because of our inexperience, we had some hiccups. In the control of the week, on timings, meetings of leaders in which we do not have the right questions or the right answers", recognizes Caudullo.

Benoît Paillaugue has put on the coach's cap this season. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

The opening defeat against Lyon (22-26) could have been a blow. But no. The staff stayed the course. You only have to go to the outskirts of the stadium to hear a few names thrown by Geoffrey Doumayrou to understand that no one is going to give in to the situation. “The video session after Lyon was lively. The two (Doumayrou and Paillaugue) were tough, but that's normal", continues the former hooker.

Paillaugue and Doumayrou, respectively 36 and 35 years old, are inevitably expected at the turning point, they who hung up their boots last season. More than the others. “Honestly, I didn't expect them to switch so quickly”, appreciates Caudullo.”I really have the feeling that we all work well together.” A feeling capitalized on by a precious and controlled success against Usap.

But the period to savor will not have lasted. Saturday, it is Stade Toulousain who arrives at the GGL. The MHR has not won at home against the Red and Black for five years. “It's going to be super complicated. But it's going to be a good time to experience”, concludes Caudullo. That's the biggest challenge at the start of the season. For everyone, including the staff.

(*) Manager: Joan Caudullo
Attack: Benoît Paillaugue.
Defense: Geoffrey Doumayrou.
Lineout and first play: Antoine Battut.
Scrum: Didier Bès.
Rucks and contact attitudes: Benson Stanley.
Skills and kicking: Jérémy Valls. I subscribe to read the rest