ERCC: Pool 4, Round 2 - Montpellier Herault v Glasgow Warriors

                               
Montpellier Herault v Glasgow Warriors
Pool 4, Round 2
Saturday 25 October 2014
KO 17:15 GMT (18:15 for WhoCares)
Altrad Stadium, Montpellier

Live on Sky Sports 2

Referee JP Doyle (England)
Touch Judge 1 Tom Foley (England)
Touch Judge 2 Mourad Zitouni (France)
Fourth Official Mourad Zitouni (France)
TMO David Grashoff (England)

Citing Commissioner Stefano Marrama (Italy)

A. Teams:

1. Montpellier Herault

15 Benjamin Fall
14 Timoci Nagusa
13 Rene Ranger
12 Robert Ebersohn
11 Samisoni Viriviri
10 Enzo Selponi
9 Benoit Paillaugue

8 Alex Tulou (c)
7 Akapusi Qera
6 Kelian Galletier
5 Sitaleki Timani
4 Tom Donnelly
3 Chris King
2 Mickael Ivaldi
1 Yvan Watremez

16 Thomas Bianchin
17 Mikheil Nariashvili
18 Nicolas Mas
19 Thibaut Privat
20 Alexandre Bias
21 Teddy Iribaren
22 Wynand Olivier
23 Pierre Berard

2. Glasgow Warriors

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Sean Maitland
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos
 
1. Gordon Reid
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Euan Murray
4. Tim Swinson
5. Jonny Gray
6. Rob Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Josh Strauss (Captain)
 
16. Fraser Brown
17. Alex Allan
18. Rossouw de Klerk
19. Leone Nakarawa
20. Adam Ashe
21. Niko Matawalu
22. Duncan Weir
23. DTH van der Merwe

B. Tournament Form

1. Montpellier Herault

18/1/14 - Montpellier 24 - 6 Treviso

10/1/14 - Ulster 27 - 16 Montpellier

15/12/13 - Montpellier 14 - 15 Tigers

2. Glasgow Warriors

18/10/14 - Glasgow 37 - 10 Bath

18/1/14 - Glasgow 8 - 15 Toulon

11/1/14 - Chiefs 10 - 15 Glasgow

C. Head to Head

2 Played 2
0 Wins 1
1 Losses 0
1 Draws 1
3 Tries 2
2 Conversions 1
3 Penalties 7
0 Drop Goals 0
28 Points 33

If Glasgow can win this it will go a very long way to help they chances in the group. Lose and they'll probably have to beat both Toulouse and Bath away from home, which is a big ask.


TBH its gonna be a big ask beating any of these teams away

I've just finished watching Toulouse v Montpellier.

Montpellier the more 'Glasgow-esque' in trying be expansive in attack, but guilty of some silly errors and some downright crazy decision-making, particularly when chasing the losing bonus point.

Toulouse were more conservative, but looking through their teamsheet you can see decades-worth of experience in the upper echelons of European rugby. Even if they're not playing well, the individual class of guys like Steenkamp and Huget is obvious.

I'm not going to say that Glasgow 'should' win their matches against the French sides, but on this weekend's showing, they certainly shouldn't be afraid.

RDW_Scotland wrote:If Glasgow can win this it will go a very long way to help they chances in the group. Lose and they'll probably have to beat both Toulouse and Bath away from home, which is a big ask.


TBH its gonna be a big ask beating any of these teams away

Don't think a loss next week means we have to win both the other 2 away games. Can see 4 wins and some bps giving us a chance.

We will need to pick up at least one win on the road so next week would be a good place to start . We've started picking try bps which is great, if things don't go too well we need to start picking up lbps.

I do agree though progress is still going to be tough but we have started well, which is much better than we usually do!

It's all academic at the moment ; but I tend to support the perceived wisdom that you need to win all your home games and look to win one away. The thing is then to get the away win asap, this takes a lot of pressure off. Also, if we win on Saturday then Montpellier could be out of the tournament by the time they come to us. French teams tend to "travel poorly" in that situation
If we win at Montpellier and split the results with Toulouse then we could be travelling to Bath, who could easily have lost home and away to Toulouse, to win the group.
It's nice in my world, innit?

jimbopip wrote:It's all academic at the moment ; but I tend to support the perceived wisdom that you need to win all your home games and look to win one away. The thing is then to get the away win asap, this takes a lot of pressure off.  Also, if we win on Saturday then Montpellier could be out of the tournament by the time they come to us. French teams tend to "travel poorly" in that situation
If we win at Montpellier and split the results with Toulouse then we could be travelling to Bath, who could easily have lost home and away to Toulouse, to win the group.
It's nice in my world, innit?

I'm just guessing.

The problem with relying on only 1 away win is having to pick up a bonus point basically every game.

It is very much stating the obvious, but Glasgow will find things a lot less difficult if they manage to win this!

Glasgow should be not afraid of Montpellier and go there to attack and win - another 5 pointer puts them in great position

Glasgow travels to Montpelier at the right time with Trinh-Duc injured for at least 3 month and surprisingly no depth at 10. Their half-backs and often erratic defending are their main weakness. Appart from that plenty of firepowers to offer and a very active backrow lead by Ben Mowen. Montpelier needs that win to survive so it will not be easy for Glasgow.
On another note, it is good to see that toulouse id still alive and kicking which makes things even more interesting in this group.

GC – Not sure if it’s on both channels but apparently the game is on Sky Sports 2. Also for the avoidance of any confusion, kick off is 17.15 GMT, with local time at 18.15.

If Glasgow can play with the speed and intensity that they used to swat aside Bath, then they should fear no-one.

The only thing that bothered me about the Glasgow performance was once again the kicking from hand of Duncan Weir. He made two absolutely top class touch clearances from within his 22, putting Bath back in their own half, but also managed a horrific punt out on the full (becoming a speciality of his) and a penalty that didn't make touch. He absolutely has to cut out these errors if he's going to become the international fly half we all want him to be. It isn't a lack of ability, it's just a case of infuriating inconsistency. He's never going to be Carlos Spencer, so if he's going to be the 10 the controls and manages the game that you can rely on, then he needs to do just that.

EWT Spoons wrote:GC – Not sure if it’s on both channels but apparently the game is on Sky Sports 2.   Also for the avoidance of any confusion, kick off is 17.15 GMT, with local time at 18.15.

OP updated.

I see Peter Horne and Big Al are playing club rugby for Hawks this weekend, so clearly not playing in this game. No surprise about Al more so about Horne.

I am hoping that this means Dunbar is back fit and will play IC with MB outside him. If not I expect it means that Downey will play. I imagine that they are expecting Montpellier to be a much more physical proposition than Bath, both up front and in the backs, so need to beef up the defence accordingly.

I imagine that a fair few of the Scotland players who have played a lot recently will get rested next week against Treviso. You would hope and imagine that we could get away with a slightly weaker team for this one.

Sadly not got Sky Sports so will just have to await the result

I think if we do not win this, or at least get a bonus point, then the Bath win will look like a flash in the pan

We really need to be targeting a run of wins not one off

Good luck

Interview with Sean Lamont in the papers - usually suggests he's going to be in the squad. Maybe Seymour has been ruled out?

Just noticed Ryan Grant is not in the list of players released to the clubs.
Chance of a bench spot?

Obviously having Seymour on the pitch is preferable to not, but if there's any doubt about his fitness, it seems too much of a risk of aggravating his injury.

For the sake of his season, I'd be happy to bench him. A DTH, No Maits, Hoggy back three is still outstanding, and gives Schlong a spot on the bench.

Team announced

1. Reid
2. MacArthur
3. Murray
4. Swinson
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Fusaro
8. Strauss  

9. Pyrgos
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

Bench - Brown, Allan, de Klerk, Naka, Ashe, Mata, Weir and DTH

Nearly a predictable selection from Toonie. Is this a sign of the coming apocalypse?

Shows what I know!

That's as close to our first team as we can manage right now. Toonie's muppet-quotient is at a six-month low, so I'm going to sit back and trust him.

Weegie Wizard wrote:Team announced

1. Reid
2. MacArthur
3. Murray
4. Swinson
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Fusaro
8. Strauss  

9. Pyrgos
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

Bench - Brown, Allan, de Klerk, Naka, Ashe, Mata, Weir and DTH

Nearly a predictable selection from Toonie. Is this a sign of the coming apocalypse?

That is a bloody strong team. Great to have Strauss and Dunbar back.

Looks like Ben Mowan is not featuring for Montpellier this weekend. Mas on the bench too.

That could very well be the Scotland backline for the AIs, so hopefully Cotter will be watching closely.

Pelly team:
15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Samisoni Viriviri, 10 Enzo Selponi, 9 Benoit Paillaugue, 8 Alex Tulou (c) 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Kelian Galletier, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Chris King, 2 Mickael Ivaldi, 1 Yvan Watremez

16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Mikheil Nariashvili, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Thibaut Privat, 20 Alexandre Bias, 21 Teddy Iribaren, 22 Wynand Olivier, 23 Pierre Berard

That's 7 changes from last week's side that came up short against local opposition.

A few names in there I recognise: Fall, Nagusa, Ranger, Qera, Olivier and Mas. Some decent broken field runners in that crowd + Mas off the bench.

A tough assignment but a win here puts Glasgow in a good place to at least qualify from the Group. Glasgow vs Toulouse at Scotstoun should be a cracker. I wonder if Glasgow can replicate Edinburgh's success in that regard, or whether they'll fall short.....

Their outside backs are ridiculous.

15 Benjamin Fall,
14 Timoci Nagusa,
13 Rene Ranger,
12 Robert Ebersohn,
11 Samisoni Viriviri
10 Enzo Selponi,
9 Benoit Paillaugue

Not sure about their half backs but if that lot get room it could be messy. Ranger can be unbelievably good.

8 Alex Tulou (c)
7 Akapusi Qera,
6 Kelian Galletier,
5 Sitaleki Timani,
4 Tom Donnelly,
3 Chris King,
2 Mickael Ivaldi,
1 Yvan Watremez

No Mowen or Ouedraogo ( )
No clue about their front row but if Mas is on the bench they must be decent. I count only 5 French players starting. Makes Edinburgh seem xenophobic by comparison

No Trinc-Duc will be key for Pelly.

WhoCares will confirm but tha surely cannot be their first choice pack?

Mowen and Tchale Walou (spelling?) are the two guys that seem to be rested. Others are missing due to injury (trinh duc ouedraogo pelissie). Mas hardly plays 2 games in a row these days. Weak half backs in my opinion, too lightweight. Not sold on Ebersohn as well.prefer ollivier.

WW, I did count 6 frenchmen

Whocares does resting Mowen suggest they think they don't need him or that the Top14 is the priority?
I read their next league game is against La Rochelle. Surely that is a game they would expect to win?

Good team apart from the omission of Dougie Hall, i think he is still the best hooker at the club. Also DTH would always start in my team.

Wasn't Grant due to be back this week too?

Mowen started all last 3 games. Needs resting anyway. Galletier is a good flanker as well.

VinceWLB wrote:Good team apart from the omission of Dougie Hall, i think he is still the best hooker at the club. Also DTH would always start in my team.

Wasn't Grant due to be back this week too?

Am slightly perturbed by Grant not playing rugby anywhere this weekend, apparently. He is on the official crocked list: Mike Cusack (medical / illness), Ryan Grant (shoulder), Tyrone Holmes (neck / shoulder), Tom Ryder (neck) and Ryan Wilson (ribs).

Warriors on the injury comeback trail who are playing for their clubs this weekend are Kellock, Horne, Downey, Vernon, Bryce, McConnell, Welsh and Hughes. It's only Treviso next, but I would like Jon Welsh back very badly.

Would some kind soul please PM me a link for this match this afternoon.

Cheers

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Would some kind soul please PM me a link for this match this afternoon.

Cheers

sure in about 1 hour .....

Anyone able to link me up? I'm struggling!

none working

3-0 to Glasgow. Montpellier lucky not to go down to 14

Struggling because it is on sky sports red button

Montpellier looking dangerous in attack. Warriors scrambling but holding

Penalty count racking up against Montpellier

6-0 Montpellier have conceded 4 penalties in 12 minutes

Whoops 0-6

Glasgow struggling a bit in the scrum. Pitch is tearing up which isn't helping 3-6

RDW_Scotland wrote:Anyone able to link me up? I'm struggling!

Sent you a PM

send me 1 please

3-9 to Glasgow Montpellier must be close to a warning

My link is working now!

Now that is how to chase a kick!

Any chance of a link?

thanks for link its hardly working for me !