Montpellier vs Exeter Chiefs - Heineken Champions Cup

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Sean O’Brien
11 Tom O’Flaherty
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Jack Maunder
1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Sam Nixon
4 Sean Lonsdale
5 Sam Skinner
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jannes Kirsten
8 Sam Simmonds

16 Jack Innard
17 James Kenny
18 Patrick Schickerling
19 Christ Tshiunza
20 Don Armand
21 Sam Maunder
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Olly Woodburn

Interesting bench. Good to see Kenny, Christ and Patrick being given more time, and great to see Ollie W making a return. But no Hendrickson?

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Montpellier

1. ENZO FORLETTA
2. BRANDON PAENGA AMOSA
3. MOHAMED HAOUAS
4. BASTIEN CHALUREAU
5. PAUL WILLEMSE
6. NICOLAAS JANSE VAN RENSBURG
7. YACOUBA CAMARA
8. ZACH MERCER
9. GELA APRASIDZE
10. LOUIS FOURSANS
11. VINCENT RATTEZ
12. JAN SERFONTEIN
13. YVAN REILHAC
14. GABRIEL NGANDEBE
15. ANTHONY BOUTHIER

Replacements
16. GUILHEM GUIRADO
17. ROBERT RODGERS
18. HENRY THOMAS
19. ALEXANDRE BECOGNEE
20. COBUS REINACH
21. PAOLO GARBISI
22. THOMAS DARMON
23. FLORIAN VERHAEGHE

Match Officials

Referee: Frank Murphy (Ire)
ARs: Peter Martin (Ire) & Daniel Carson (Ire)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ire)

Weather as at 1200 Friday

Clear sky with a gentle breeze from the north east

Temperature feels like 3 degrees

Low chance of rain

Television Coverage from 5.15 pm

Channel 409 BT Sport 2 SD
Channel 431 BT Sport 2 HD

Quote:

Lowerwatha
Montpellier
1. ENZO FORLETTA
2. BRANDON PAENGA AMOSA
3. MOHAMED HAOUAS
4. BASTIEN CHALUREAU
5. PAUL WILLEMSE
6. NICOLAAS JANSE VAN RENSBURG
7. YACOUBA CAMARA
8. ZACH MERCER
9. GELA APRASIDZE
10. LOUIS FOURSANS
11. VINCENT RATTEZ
12. JAN SERFONTEIN
13. YVAN REILHAC
14. GABRIEL NGANDEBE
15. ANTHONY BOUTHIER

Replacements
16. GUILHEM GUIRADO
17. ROBERT RODGERS
18. HENRY THOMAS
19. ALEXANDRE BECOGNEE
20. COBUS REINACH
21. PAOLO GARBISI
22. THOMAS DARMON
23. FLORIAN VERHAEGHE

By my reckoning 9+10 are the only starters who started last week. Tough game ahead I think

Montpellier serious looking pack - usual scrum and line out worries for us. Van Rensburg, Willemse and Zach Mercer all top players. IMO they have picked a side to win and after last week will be very revved up. Reinach and Garbisi on their bench - no signs of weakness there. Leinster had a convincing win when they played them away so hopefully with a performance like last week we may just sneak it.

No kidding they have picked a side to win, they're in 9th place with a game to go and got embarrassed at Sandy Park!

Can the squad we're picked do the business...not honestly sure. Credit to Rob who obviously managed to get Slade vaxxed but we look a few players short of a team that can get out of France with four points.

Montpelier 25 Chiefs 20 and hoping for favours elsewhere.

Looks a good mix on both sides but just wondering what minimum points do we need to get to get through? Is a draw good enough do you reckon? Obviously we want a win but.......

I think we have enough oomph to win this. Montpellier 20 - 28 Exeter.

A much stronger Montpellier side than has been put out in previous games, with their covid points and the strange format, they can still go through. They look like they have the edge up front with a big pack. We have the better back line though, so if we can keep it tight in the first sixty and run that big pack around, then I feel we have enough to nick it in the last quarter.
Montpellier 24 Chiefs 32

Quote:

Rowancroft73

Quote:

Lowerwatha
Montpellier
1. ENZO FORLETTA
2. BRANDON PAENGA AMOSA
3. MOHAMED HAOUAS
4. BASTIEN CHALUREAU
5. PAUL WILLEMSE
6. NICOLAAS JANSE VAN RENSBURG
7. YACOUBA CAMARA
8. ZACH MERCER
9. GELA APRASIDZE
10. LOUIS FOURSANS
11. VINCENT RATTEZ
12. JAN SERFONTEIN
13. YVAN REILHAC
14. GABRIEL NGANDEBE
15. ANTHONY BOUTHIER

Replacements
16. GUILHEM GUIRADO
17. ROBERT RODGERS
18. HENRY THOMAS
19. ALEXANDRE BECOGNEE
20. COBUS REINACH
21. PAOLO GARBISI
22. THOMAS DARMON
23. FLORIAN VERHAEGHE

By my reckoning 9+10 are the only starters who started last week. Tough game ahead I think

Pretty much everyone baring their starting 10 has at least one international Cap, but considering they could include Handre Pollard its all but a first choice team. Although, I note their split on the bench is interesting as Florian Verhaeghe is a lock, but is wearing the 23 shirt instead of the traditional 19. Keep an eye out for Garbisi on the bench as he is a livewire

Chiefs to pull it off 22-16

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Number of Montpellier players will be short of gametime - could be as much as a month of competitive match practice missed. Could work in our favour - therefore Montpellier 15 Exeter 27.
Have been waiting a while to see O'brien in first team action - he will be a handful

Well this is a tricky one, as mentioned this team is a different beast to that we faced a SP.
Immense pack but they are not as mobile as some of the French teams, hope Tom has improved in defence as I’m sure Rob has not played him at times against the French behemoths, but he has speed to be more of a threat.
Still believe we are on an upward curve but can lose or win.
Soft cheese eaters 17 Chiefs 22



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:01:21:16:40:32 by clalan.

Montpellier 17 - 20 Chiefs

Montpelier will be a right handful and looking forward to this one, cobus on the bench tells you something as he was and maybe still is a top scrum half, close game i think and hope we pull this one out the bag, although i had a cheeky 2 pound bet on Montpelier at 66/1 in the beginning, chiefs 19 cheese lovers 14. On a different note glad to see ollie W on the bench,

Montpellier 13 Chiefs 22

Whilst not a given, there'd need to be some strange results for us not to qualify for the round of 16. I say this because we are ahead in the first two 'tie-breakers' - (i) aggregate points (ii) tries scored - and I can't see any of the teams below us catching up.

Of the teams below us Montpellier, Glasgow, Clermont and Sale could potentially overtake us. However, to do so they need to beat us, La Rochelle, Ulster and Ospreys respectively.

On paper, Sale have the easiest tie and you'd probably expect them to win.

Glasgow have to beat a La Rochelle side who may be hoping to get a top 2 place; I'd expect a close match and would be quite surprised if either got 5 points - which Glasgow need to overtake us.

Ulster are currently 2nd in the group and won't want to lose that place because the seedings become important in the later rounds. As good as Clermont can be, I can't see them beating Ulster at the Kingspan.

On the basis of my less than expert opinion, I'm inclined to say we're safe whatever the result. Of course, who we play in the next round matters - although, maybe less so on a home and away basis than a one-off.

As I got my prediction so wrong last week. I'm going for something a little more upbeat - Montpellier19 - Chiefs 24 ............................ but I could be wrong (again)

Chiefs 34 - Les Fromages 22

Really looking forward to seeing Sean O'B playing and hope he has a stormer.
On a different note I was very impressed at the way Poite reffed the game particularly the unfussy way he awarded the scores. Lets hope the Irish officials can do as well!

Quote:

ouch!_that_hurts

On the basis of my less than expert opinion, I'm inclined to say we're safe whatever the result. Of course, who we play in the next round matters - although, maybe less so on a home and away basis than a one-off.

By the time we get to Sunday evening, we can handpick our opposition for the knockouts if we wanted to. Ideally we don’t want to finish 6th (means playing Munster).

In theory (though perhaps less likely to be an issue as Racing, Ulster and Leinster are probably nailed on for top three) we want to avoid second or third, as that gives us Toulouse or Bordeaux in the knockouts. Staying fifth would work well, means playing Bristol, although we’d probably then need to go away in the QFs.

All academic for us, am sure we’ll go for it anyway. But might affect Montpellier’s motivation.

With 3 games now off this weekend all having some connection to France I just hope we can keep the squad free from the virus going forward. We already know that Montpellier have had a high level of cases there already. Competition so compromised this season nearly a farce.
As for the game it’s going to be tough against a fully loaded team so any points will be a bonus. Do feel for Cordero taken off at quins due to Heppers sending off and not included in 23 for next two games -

Montpellier 24 Chiefs 26

If the match was at Sandy Park I think we would win but in France with pride at stake I think the Montpellier will be too strong and desperate for the win. Hope I am wrong but I do think we might get two points - Montpellier34 Chiefs 32 That would be a good performance.

As long as we get a point or two away,I will be happy. Montpellier 19 Chiefs 24

Montp 21 - Chiefs 28

Well I'm heartened to see at least a couple of people are predicting a loss for us; the losses seem to happen when we're all unanimous for a win!

It's definitely going to be tougher going than the first leg against them, a couple of our internationals missing from that lineup, while they've drafted in a few. But fingers xd for a win

Montpellier 24 - 28 Exeter

Looks like Bears have got 4th or even 3rd in Pool B depending on how Munster do tomorrow v Wasps. Opportunity now for Warriors to do us and themselves a favour to take down La Rochelle to give us a chance of a top 4 in Pool A.

Thought we'd already wrapped up a spot in the knockout stages with Ulster beating Clemont? As things stand we're on course for a two-legged tie with Munster.

Quote:

ExTeddChief
Thought we'd already wrapped up a spot in the knockout stages with Ulster beating Clemont? As things stand we're on course for a two-legged tie with Munster.

Assuming Sale beat Ospreys and Munster get a BP win over Wasps, then Exe need to win tomorrow, ensures they finish fifth and will play Bristol in the knockouts. Lose then Exe finish sixth, have to play Munster home and away…

Quote:

EXDJ

Quote:

ExTeddChief
Thought we'd already wrapped up a spot in the knockout stages with Ulster beating Clemont? As things stand we're on course for a two-legged tie with Munster.

Assuming Sale beat Ospreys and Munster get a BP win over Wasps, then Exe need to win tomorrow, ensures they finish fifth and will play Bristol in the knockouts. Lose then Exe finish sixth, have to play Munster home and away…

Interesting dynamic! Montpellier still need points too so they will be "at it". Would be best to avoid Munster but Bristol are finding their feet too.
Still we both think Chiefs can do it!
Mrs PC 22 - 19
PC 24 - 17

Quote:

plymptonchief

Interesting dynamic! Montpellier still need points too so they will be "at it". Would be best to avoid Munster but Bristol are finding their feet too.

If Montpellier lose but pick up a bonus point, then they would finish 8th and will face Tigers. Meanwhile a Montpellier win (assuming Sale also win) would see Montpellier finish 7th and face Quins. Which they might rather fancy. (If Ospreys beat Sale, then a Montpellier win would see them in 6th facing Munster and Exeter would be guaranteed 5th and Bristol either way.)

I don't really get the 'fear' of playing Munster. They've not really looked very good this season; they've only got one TBP (v. an injury-weakened Wasps side) and struggled a bit in both games against Castres.

Yes, we know Bristol, but they seem to be getting their big names back (and on form) and are starting to look more like the side that topped the GP last season.

What we need is a good performance even if we marginally lose. Nothing to dent our improving confidence. We will not be facing Leinster or Leicester so I am sure whoever we meet, Bristol or Munster, would be a great challenge but games we could/should win; certainly easier than some of the others.

Quote:

ouch!_that_hurts
I don't really get the 'fear' of playing Munster.

I would love to see Exe play and beat Munster. But we definitely struggled against them last time we met.

Quote:

EXDJ

Quote:

ouch!_that_hurts
I don't really get the 'fear' of playing Munster.

I would love to see Exe play and beat Munster. But we definitely struggled against them last time we met.

We seem to fare better against the French than the Irish,

Quote:

EXDJ

Quote:

ouch!_that_hurts
I don't really get the 'fear' of playing Munster.

I would love to see Exe play and beat Munster. But we definitely struggled against them last time we met.

Think we were more letting ourselves down at home against Munster than them being better.

East Terrace Central
Our roads are paved with hope, and there are no stop signs.
"COME ON EXE!"

Quote:

plymptonchief
We seem to fare better against the French than the Irish,

We have played Irish sides nine times in the HC. (have drawn Leinster twice in the group and once in the knockouts, then Munster and Ulster once each in the group). P9 W1 (Ulster at home) D1 (Munster at home) L7

Meanwhile, since Exe started properly going for it in the HC in 17/18 they have played 10 games against the French (Montpellier, Castres, La Rochelle, Montpellier in the groups and then Toulouse, Racing, Lyon in the knockouts). P10 W9 L1 (Castres away narrow loss, despite a Castres red card)

Quite a contrast…

From a neutral (sort of) I think the TMO is doing his best for Montpellier - a try for Montpellier from a penalty incorrectly called for a non-existent neck roll and try awarded to Chiefs ruled out due to a non-existent knock-on ..

I have to say, in the buildup to Montpelier's final try I was really expecting the ref to blow his whistle at two of our rucks. But hey ho. If we want to win the competition we'll need much better set piece than that.

Wasn't expecting to win, we didn't win...we did get a TBP out of France which wasn't bad. Had doubts about O'Brien, needn't have worried.

Dissapointing result but back to domestic business and then Munster.

Cornwall Chief moves up to joint second in the table and ExTeddChief also got two points. Not a great deal of movement elsewhere; too much optimism!!
27 Points: Clalan
26 Points: Bold Eagle; Osmium; Cornwall Chief
25 Points: Mike the Shirt
24 Points: DumnoniiNomad;
22 Points: Mrs PC; Big Chief Little Chief; The Stoke Canon; Fisher;
21 Points: Chief Firewater; Ex 58;
20 Points: Ouch That Hurts; ExTeddChief
19 Points: Curry Chief; Thomas Hawk
18 Points: Plympton Chief
16 Points: Last of the Beercans;
14 Points: Exeterfan; Keithbar54;
10 Points: Father Alice
A few others less than 10. Late entries to the game mostly with some not predicting every week.
Still, Munster home and away looks achievable but difficult. Looking forward to it!

Thanks PC. Perhaps we should have a table for Optimists and another for Realists!

Quote:

Currychef
Thanks PC. Perhaps we should have a table for Optimists and another for Realists!

Would probably need a third for fence sitters like me a couple of weeks ago!