PREVIEW: Montpellier 'prepare for war' to stop Toulouse Top 14 dominance
PREVIEW: Montpellier head coach Joan Caudullo wants his side to “prepare for war” against favourites Toulouse in the French Top 14 Final on Saturday as the record 24-time champions eye a fourth-straight title.
Toulouse romped their way to the decider by hammering Racing 92 71-17 in last weekend’s semifinal, having finished the regular season with a record points haul.
Antoine Dupont and his galaxy of stars dominated the domestic campaign, losing just eight times in the league, having been deducted two points in the table for salary cap breaches.
“We’re going to prepare for war,” Caudullo told reporters on Monday.
“We’ll see if it works or not.
“I don’t want us looking like idiots,” the club’s former hooker added.
Caudullo’s side, owned by Syrian billionaire Mohed Altrad, held on to beat Stade Francais 25-15 in the other semifinal, 24 hours after Toulouse’s statement victory, for their 11th straight win across all competitions.
Both sides are preparing for the fixture at the Stade de France in Paris as the country experiences record-high temperatures.
“We have to be fresh asd we have one day fewer of recovery compared to Toulouse,” Caudullo said.
“Even us the staff are a bit tired.
“Physically, we’ll leave the players a bit so they’re ready to play on Saturday,” he added.
Toulouse are potentially 80 minutes away from becoming just the third side to lift four consecutive Bouclier de Brennus (Brennus Shield) titles after the club’s previous generation between 1994 and 1997 and Bordeaux between 1904 and 1907.
“We’ll do everything to claim a fourth straight Bouclier,” flyhalf Romain Ntamack told Canal+ after the Racing win.
“We’ve never been so close to doing it.
“We don’t want to think too much about it, but it has to stay in a corner of our minds.
“We’re as motivated as ever,” he added.
Ramos return
Toulouse are set to welcome back fullback Thomas Ramos after he missed the victory over Racing with a hamstring injury.
However, France loose forward Alexandre Roumat and Argentina centre Santiago Chocobares are doubts.
Ramos, 30, is the side’s first-choice goal-kicker and offers a perfect second play-making option behind Ntamack.
“We know how important he is to the squad,” said Ntamack. “I hope Thomas will be back.”
Caudullo has his own sure-fire option off the tee in Argentina flyhalf Domingo Miotti.
The well-travelled 30-year-old slotted 17 points against Stade Francais after an impressive second season on the Mediterranean coast.
During the 10-time Puma’s first campaign, he played just five times as he struggled with a niggling knee issue.
“I didn’t think that a player could have such a season, I had no confidence in him last year,” Caudullo said.
“But I think he resembles Montpellier’s mindset, in that he never gives up.”
Superstar Dupont is set to start for Toulouse, having masterminded the semifinal success, as the 29-year-old returned to his influential best, having been sidelined for a month with a groin issue.
“I think players play well with him, so obviously an anti-Dupont plan will leave space for others,” Caudullo said.
“He’s still the best player in the competition, and it’s going to be difficult.”
Register your interest to receive priority updates on RWC27 ticket releases. Don't miss out, stay in the loop!
