Amlin Cup - Montpellier v Chiefs

OK, first things first, a preview is your hope, dreams and aspirations for the forthcoming game and a review is a celebration if those dreams come true and a breakdown of how unlucky we were if they didn’t. Life’s like that unfortunately.

But before I start on my dreams for the forthcoming weekend I’m still trying to get my head round yet another six foot five, nineteen and a half stone winger. When I played in the olden days I was fortunate enough to play with and against Bill Beaumont (6’ 3” and about 15st), Mike Leadbetter (6’1” and 14.5st, 1 Eng cap), Dave Cussani (6’2”, 15st, 1 Eng cap), Richard (Dick) Trickey ( Sale and 109 Lancashire caps when county rugby meant something, 6’ 1” and 14 st). These four were all quality second rows wingers like Mike Slemen and John Carleton were all midgets; though to be fair when I last saw John in Wigan three years ago he certainly had the weight of a modern winger.

Anyway, I digress. The Montpellier preview from my point of view is as a tourist with old fashioned values; so when I arrive with my good lady in Montpellier on Friday evening it will involve a quiet and romantic supper with a nice bottle of wine and a couple of drinks before we retire.
Breakfast will be followed by a nice walk around the town at not too brisk a pace taking in the odd coffee and cake. Lunch will be a quiet affair with possibly a drink, so as not to get parched. Possibly we will meet the odd player and wish them luck for the game to be played to a finish which is past my normal bedtime.

Somewhere between the hours of five and six we will meet a group who not only have my tickets but will undoubtedly lead me astray. From that comment they will have now worked out who is writing this note. If not led too much astray there is every possible chance I will see the game where I fully expect the Chiefs to progress into the quarter finals. Whilst I would enjoy an open and entertaining game I care little if the score is 3-0 providing it is in our favour.

Thereafter on Saturday evening things will probably go downhill with the price being paid at Sunday brunch as breakfast will probably be a non starter. Hopefully we will meet some of the boys celebrating a magnificent 3-0 win (or whatever) on orange juice and expensive French water (I think not). Providing we survive Saturday night there will be a cultural days sightseeing in and around Montpellier on the Sunday; although knowing the company I keep that may involve the bars of Montpellier.

Now then, when I eventually return I’ll let you have a review. Many things might happen of course. We might win 36-6, I might not survive long enough to actually see the game and others will talk me through it in fluent gibberish. We might lose, though I doubt it, in which case we will either have been robbed through some very dubious decisions by the referee or if it wasn’t for bad luck we would have had no luck at all. Whatever will be will be and I for one will enjoy it.