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

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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

Not a good news that Toulouse beat Bath away. With Montpellier being out of it in round 6 i can see Toulouse winning there..

Toulouse away will be without Murray so Welsh and Cusack better be fit as sorry but de Klerk doesn't really cut the mustard.

Official motm went to Strauss but for me it was Fusaro who probably had one of his best game ever on a Glasgow shirt with a defining try saving tackle in the 2nd half.

Yeah the scrum is a worry. Can't really complain about the penalty try it was always coming.

Just seen the highlights - Bennett's run was outstanding.

Was this a game worth watching on YouTube if it appears?

OK. Many dead?

I think with Embra being able to field 13 players next week plus Ben Atiga and Seymour, Maitland getting knocks we could be struggling to get a Scotland team together for the AIs and keep both Glasgow and Edinburgh playing Pro12.

Nematode wrote:Just seen the highlights - Bennett's run was outstanding.

Was this a game worth watching on YouTube if it appears?

Definitely for the commitment and defense shown by the Glasgow's players.

George Carlin wrote:That's going to be a very valuable win, because watching the Bath game, it's going to be an absolute biatch to try and beat this Toulouse side.

Glasgow will fancy their chances depending on how big their injury list is I suppose. 4th win a row for Toulouse after having lost 4 in row before. Will be interesting to see if they can build on that momentum now but I have to admit I was wrong in giving them nil chance to get out of their group. Now with Bath and Montpelier almost out already, it looks feasible.

Glasgow will need to repeat their heroics against Toulouse from a few years ago!

VinceWLB wrote:

Nematode wrote:Just seen the highlights - Bennett's run was outstanding.

Was this a game worth watching on YouTube if it appears?

Definitely for the commitment and defense shown by the Glasgow's players.

+1 In particular, I'd recommend the first twenty minutes of the second half - Glasgow's defence was simply outstanding.

I am not sure that Toulose will relish coming to Glasgow in december, hopefully it will be cold, wet and horrible! To be honest we don't need to win down there, though it would be nice, a losing bonus point would be a very good reward. The way they played today though, I don't think they fancy being beaten by anyone.

Where'd you see the highlights?

Having watched the game, I found it useful to compare the performance of Russell at 10 in the first half and Weir in the second 40.

There is a quality that very good players have that is difficult to quantify: Time on the ball, the ability to make the right decision and execute at the right time or just doing the simple things very well. The performance of Russell shows that he has it and I just don't think that Weir does.

Russell was very composed in everything he did, Weir with his first touch threw a near intercept, overran a pass from DTH and then hooked a 22 restart out on the full. Russell's performance cemented him as the starting 10 during the AI's, for me.

EST you're being a little harsh on Weir but I would agree that Russell shows a wonderful level of composure with ball in hand. Surely Russell is first choice for the AI's, fingers crossed that Dunbar isn't broken for the Pumas match.

Great result for Glasgow, roughing it out away from home in Europe is what top teams do.

Perhaps Reallybored, Weir has been playing well over the start of this season - he is a very good Pro12 player - but these mistakes are usually punished at the highest level. I just found the contrast between the two quite stark.

Stats make interesting reading - Glasgow behind on everything bar turnovers. Weir some good stuff but those mistakes could be costly.

Weir unfortunately has and continues to make small mistakes in the big games. We would have been having a very different discussion now had that pass been intercepted, which it very nearly was. It is a very small criticism as on the whole he has played much better than last year but at international level these small things count.

Russell does not seem to make these small errors, at least not as noticeable and you get the impression that VC and the other coaches have noted it as well. Weir can still improve, he is still young and has already moved on from last year, but at the moment Russell does seem to be the player to pick, remembering that he is also still young and inexperienced and will also be expected to improve as he gets more international experience.

TJ wrote:Stats make interesting reading - Glasgow behind on everything bar turnovers.  Weir some good stuff but those mistakes could be costly.  

I don't believe those stats sorry, Jonny Gray with only 3 metres run, you got to be kidding me.

Montpellier are regarded as one of the best pack in the top 14 so to front up like Glasgow did yesterday is just great and shut a lot of mouth up certainly.

That said i would like the situation with Cusack to be cleared up, it got to a point where it's getting way to long and a release has to be considered, Glasgow certainly could have done with either one of Dr Geoff or Low yesterday, if not both instead of having signed De Klerk.

VinceWLB wrote:

TJ wrote:Stats make interesting reading - Glasgow behind on everything bar turnovers.  Weir some good stuff but those mistakes could be costly.  

I don't believe those stats sorry, Jonny Gray with only 3 metres run, you got to be kidding me.

Montpellier are regarded as one of the best pack in the top 14 so to front up like Glasgow did yesterday is just great and shut a lot of mouth up certainly.

That said i would like the situation with Cusack to be cleared up, it got to a point where it's getting way to long and a release has to be considered, Glasgow certainly could have done with either one of Dr Geoff or Low yesterday, if not both instead of having signed De Klerk.

+1 Very worrying the lack of updates on Cusack. Think we can maybe make it through the group, but progress beyond doubtful without more solidity at scrum time.

Remember that Jon Welsh is almost back. He had his second club game this weekend and I would imagine will feature in next weeks squad against Treviso. Murray has put in a couple of enormous shifts and must be due a rest. Personally I would be happy going into most games with Murray and Welsh, having Cussack would be a bonus but as with most of us, I am not sure it is going to happen now.

Low and Cross are both struggling to get game time with LI and Exeter. which maybe gives a more realistic assessment of where they both are as props. Keeping them with Glasgow was never the answer. Give Fargeson another year and he will be competing for a place as well, we will see him off the bench a few more times this year to.

The only other example I can think of where a player was listed as long term injured but still taking up a squad place was Stephen Ferris. And even he got a couple of games in over the same period. I agree that the problems with the Coo are starting to hobble the squad a little bit now. All squad places (and salary commitments) are valuable.

I think the problem may be that where a player still has a contract and has chosen not to retire, the club is probably under a legal obligation to keep re-habbing the injury and making encouraging noises. It wouldn't be so noticeable but for Jon Welsh being out too.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Where'd you see the highlights?

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/9535140/montpellier-13-15-glasgow

Nematode wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Where'd you see the highlights?

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/9535140/montpellier-13-15-glasgow

Thanks. Great break from Bennett - BoD-esque dare I say it!

George Carlin wrote:The only other example I can think of where a player was listed as long term injured but still taking up a squad place was Stephen Ferris. And even he got a couple of games in over the same period. I agree that the problems with the Coo are starting to hobble the squad a little bit now. All squad places (and salary commitments) are valuable.

I think the problem may be that where a player still has a contract and has chosen not to retire, the club is probably under a legal obligation to keep re-habbing the injury and making encouraging noises. It wouldn't be so noticeable but for Jon Welsh being out too.

I would imagine that most if not all rugby contracts have some kind of long term injury termination clause and they are probably due some kind of compensation insurance payment when they go. I suppose the only thing stopping that from being triggered is the fact that he is down as having a medical illness and not an injury, so that may not apply. It is hard to imagine what sort of illness, that has kept him out so long, would allow him to get back to the fitness levels required to play again.

Of course we may be wrong and he may run out for a club game next week. I hope so, but it really is hard to see it happening.

Nice one Glasgow

Has Cusack even played a single game under the new scrum laws? Look at how many strong scrummaging props have struggled with them. Cusacks got a whole season of catching up to do, he might not be the player he was.

Played 35 mins against the Dragons in February last season, has been listed out because of "medical/illness" ever since despite taking part in summer training camp in France.

Wonder what it is - can only hope it isn't anything like what Matthew Rees and Aaron Cruden had to deal with.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Thanks. Great break from Bennett - BoD-esque dare I say it!

Shush RDW, you say too much.

Whisper it quietly.

Best thing about Saturdays game was that we won it with in all honest a B+ level performance.  In years gone past we had to play an A+ game and still hope things went our way luck-wise to win a game like that.

Scrum is a an utter mess and to be honest has been for most of the season.  We desperately need Welsh back as de Klerk (at the moment) is awful and is clearly not trusted by the management.  On the LH side of things, Reid has not had the best of starts, certainly in the set-piece.

If we can't sort the scrum then we wont make it out the group.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:
If we can't sort the scrum then we wont make it out the group.

that's harsh. even if they lose twice to toulouse (quite unlikely) they could still collect another 10 points which would put them amongst the best runner ups.

Hmmm. I wish I shared your optimism.
Take it as read that one of the best runners -up with come from Treviso's group and that leaves a lot of good teams scrambling around for the leftovers.
You are based in Paris. What are the French press making if this years competition. I don't know if it is because it is only BT as well as Sky and, being Scottish, I am too mean to have both but the competition doesn't seem to be quite as good as previous seasons.
There have been good games (Leicester beating Ulster was an upset as was the Scarlets beating Leicester, the Munsters pulling another last minute drop goal out if the hat) but something is missing.....

InjuredYetAgain wrote:Hmmm. I wish I shared your optimism.
Take it as read that one of the best runners -up with come from Treviso's group and that leaves a lot of good teams scrambling around for the leftovers.
You are based in Paris. What are the French press making if this years competition. I don't know if it is because it is only BT as well as Sky and, being Scottish, I am too mean to have both but the competition doesn't seem to be quite as good as previous seasons.
There have been good games (Leicester beating Ulster was an upset as was the Scarlets beating Leicester, the Munsters pulling another last minute drop goal out if the hat) but something is missing.....

Edinburgh?

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Edinburgh?

I have to say I am enjoying the rugby tho the first round of games were better than the second.

InjuredYetAgain wrote:Hmmm. I wish I shared your optimism.
Take it as read that one of the best runners -up with come from Treviso's group and that leaves a lot of good teams scrambling around for the leftovers.
You are based in Paris. What are the French press making if this years competition. I don't know if it is because it is only BT as well as Sky and, being Scottish, I am too mean to have both but the competition doesn't seem to be quite as good as previous seasons.
There have been good games (Leicester beating Ulster was an upset as was the Scarlets beating Leicester, the Munsters pulling another last minute drop goal out if the hat) but something is missing.....

I also get to only watch one game on tv and evreything else on stream now am not signing up to bein yet specially as I already have C+ for t14.
regarding the competition it is early days but tis good to have more teams having good performances, like I said before would be nice to have a welsh and scottish team in the QF. I am convinced Glasgow will make at least the QF. might be a year too early for Scarlets or Ospreys to go there (althought they had some good performances already) but next year one of them will get there thanks to new Welsh stability and central contracts.

Whocares - got to agree with Dot on this one. Ulster mangled us up front and on a heavy pitch with lots of scrums I think we will suffer unless we stiffen up. Bath at home are not going to concede a five pointer - on the contrary they will want revenge and if they get back to full strength will be a handful. I think we can qualify if Toonie gets the right personnel on the park, which he has been pretty adept at, but we must get something from the Toulouse games and fingers crossed we get our squad back from Murrayfield in decent shape!

I'm probably misreading the whole qualification thing but....
If Montpellier lose even one match to Bath they are effectively out. Which means that they probably won't "show up" for the round 5 fixture at Scotstoun.
If Bath lose one fixture to Montpellier they are effectively out. They would need to win in Toulouse to make the final group game with us interesting.
If Glasgow take five points from the two games against Toulouse then a home win against Montpellier would pretty much guarantee us runners spot.
It's certainly do-able.

jimbopip wrote:I'm probably misreading the whole qualification thing but....
If Montpellier lose even one match to Bath they are effectively out. Which means that they probably won't "show up" for the round 5 fixture at Scotstoun.
If Bath lose one fixture to Montpellier they are effectively out. They would need to win in Toulouse to make the final group game with us interesting.
If Glasgow take five points from the two games against Toulouse then a home win against Montpellier would pretty much guarantee us runners spot.
It's certainly do-able.

Too many ifs, buts, maybes at this stage. We just need to keep winning.

Demosthenes, yes and no.
Either Bath or Montpellier will be out of the running by round 5. One, or both, of them will have three defeats. This would mean a maximum of 15 points. I don't see 15 points being good enough for a best runner's up place. So the best thing for Glasgow would be home wins for each of them while we win at Scotstoun and get at least a LBP in Toulouse. That would put us on 14 pts with a possible 10 to play for. Although 5 would probably enough for a QF place.
Yes there are a lot of ifs and buts, however both Bath and Montpellier know they need four wins or it's all over. I don't fancy Bath's chances in Montpellier. But I do fancy Glasgow's chances on a wet, windy night in December against Toulouse.
You are right though, it's all academic if we don't maintain the highest levels of performance: Cardiff last year!!!!

jimbopip wrote:Demosthenes, yes and no.
Either Bath or Montpellier will be out of the running by round 5. One, or both, of them will have three defeats. This would mean a maximum of 15 points. I don't see 15 points being good enough for a best runner's up place. So the best thing for Glasgow would be home wins for each of them while we win at Scotstoun and get at least a LBP in Toulouse. That would put us on 14 pts with a possible 10 to play for. Although 5 would probably enough for a QF place.
Yes there are a lot of ifs and buts, however both Bath and Montpellier know they need four wins or it's all over. I don't fancy Bath's chances in Montpellier. But I do fancy Glasgow's chances on a wet, windy night in December against Toulouse.
You are right though, it's all academic if we don't maintain the highest levels of performance: Cardiff last year!!!!

I don't disagree at all. We should almost certainly be good for at least a runners up spot. But whether that runners up spot is one of the best 3 is another question. It will be a lot clearer after the double headers.