Montpellier Gets Good News Ahead Of Top 14 Final
Montpellier Gets Good News Ahead Of Top 14 Final
A look at preparations for the French Top 14 Final.
Montpellier's South African hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been cleared to play in Saturday's Top 14 Final against Castres after avoiding a suspension.
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Du Plessis was cited for putting his hand in the face of Lyon lock Felix Lambey during Montpellier's 40-14 semifinal win on Friday.
But after some consideration, the French National Rugby League (LNR) ruled that the action wasn't worth any suspension and he was free to play.
Good news for Montpellier as the Southern France team gets set to play upstart Castres.
On est en finale, merci de votre soutien rendez-vous la semaine prochaine à Paris!! Ⓜ️⚪️?#TeamMHR #Montpellier #Top14 pic.twitter.com/YGAV6qPrFJ
— Fulgence Ouedraogo (@FufuOuedraogo) May 25, 2018
Meanwhile, Castres has had to get to the final the hard way, playing in the first round of the playoffs (while the higher-seeded Montpellier got a bye), and edging highly-regarded Racing 92 (without injured Dan Carter), 19-14.
#DemiesTOP14
— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) May 26, 2018
Vous avez élu @BenjaUrda (@CastresRugby) #HommeduMatch ?#R92CO pic.twitter.com/dBJ6Hban1y
They would not have done it without the goalkicking of Argentian Benjamin Urdapilleta.
Thomas Combezou gave a nod to the team's accomplishment, and then said it has to be forgotten, because there's a final to play.
"We are all focused. Our goal is not achieved," Combezou said in an interview with his club (translated from French). "We have not won anything ... We will continue to prepare quietly, work in our corner and not let go."