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Montpellier

Monday 25th August 2008

One to watch: Francois Trinh-Duc

- 2008/9 Season Preview -

Club Details

Stade Yves du Manoir
500 avenue de Vanières
34070 Montpellier

Stadium Capacity: 12,000
Website: www.montpellier-rugby.com
Founded: 1986

Last time around: 8th Montpellier's best season since their return to France's top division. Inconsistency cost Montpellier a place in Europe last season. Although they easily exceeded their main goal (of avoiding relegation) a little more patience could have seen the boys in blue touch down a little more often.

This time? A year on and Montpellier's young squad will have grown in maturity and confidence. The arrival of class players like Ollie Smith and Justin Marshall could provide the missing link for team from the Mediterranean coast. Didier Nourault has done a sterling job to hang onto a group of young stars, but this could be the year to make or break Montpellier's future as failure to qualify for the Heineken Cup could see those prodigies head for greener pastures.

Coaches: Didier Nourault has spoken of building a solid squad for the future. Nourault has nurtured a core group of young players such as François Trinh-Duc, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles and the Tomas brothers who will grow under the influence of experienced players like Marshall. Nourault's charges have all the skills needed to trouble the big clubs, but work now needs to be done on their decision-making as cooler heads will be needed if Montpellier are to crack the big-time.

One to watch: François Trinh-Duc rose to prominence in last year's Six Nations. France coach Marc Lièvremeont is convinced that the young man is France's next star, though there is a debate whether his best position is fly-half or centre. He'll wear the number ten jersey for Montpellier and with the experience he has gained, and the steadying influence of Marshall inside him, he could be the man to lead les Heraults on to bigger and better things.

Final 2008/9 league position prediction: 9th

In: Sylvain Mirande (centre, Agen), Thierry Brana (scrum-half, Auch), Bruce Douglas (prop, Llanelli), Pietman van Niekerk (prop, Agen), Ollie Smith (centre, Leicester), Michael Ladhuie (Perpignan), Benjamin Goze (loose forward, Aurillac), Ludovic Monier (prop, Aurillac), Gerrit Dyman (prop, Aurillac), Justin Marshall (Ospreys), Jacques Schutte (fly-half, Falcons), Santiago Bottini (fly-half, Béziers).

Out: David Bortolussi (full-back, Dax), Mickaël Bert (lock, Dax), Régis Lespinas (scrum-half, Montauban), Davit Kubriashvili (prop, Toulon), Murphy Taele (centre, Mont-de-Marsan), Sébastien Buada (scrum-half, Narbonne), Sébastien Galtier (loose forward, retired), Alessandro Stoica (centre), Olivier Diomandé (hooker, Métro-Racing), Gonçalo Uva (lock).

Colours: Blue and white

Tickets: 15 - 40 Euros

Travel connections: Montpellier has a small international airport serviced by Ryanair or can be reached by TGV (high speed train) from Paris in 3 hours. Stade Yves du Manoir lies 4,5 km from the train station which is in the centre of town.

By tramway: There are shuttles to the stadium form "Les Sabines" station on tramway line 2 (800m)

By bus: Take line 6 to "Font Couverte" or "Le Grand M" which are close to the stadium.