The China Mail - Lowly Montauban 'not dead' in French Top 14 survival hunt

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Champions Cup-holders Bordeaux-Begles, Montauban trail Perpignan in the relegation play-off spot by seven points, having lost 31-8 to the Catalans last weekend.

Les Sapiacains, promoted to the top-flight this season for the first time since 2010, have 11 rounds of the regular campaign to go to salvage their first division status.

"Mathematically, we're not dead," former France scrum-half Tillous-Borde told AFP.

"As long as there is a chance to save ourselves, we have to do everything to do it.

"No-one outside believes in us, but we believe in ourselves," the 40-year-old added.

Tillous-Borde's side earned a shock promotion last season by winning the Pro D2 title despite only sneaking into the play-offs in sixth place, some 21 points off table-toppers Grenoble.

Their squad remains modest in terms of big names but it does include ex-Australia scrum-half Joe Powell, former New Zealand lock Vaea Fifita and colourful Fijian winger Josua Vici.

"The coaches and the players believe," Tillous-Borde said.

"Last season it was a similar situation, no-one believed us we could win the title.

"We're capable of great things, I know my men," he added.

- 'No over-thinking' -

An added boost to Montauban's hopes this weekend will be Bordeaux-Begles having to send a depleted side to Stade Sapiac.

The visitors will be without five leading players on France duty as they prepare for the Six Nations opener against Ireland next Thursday.

The likes of fleet-footed winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, in-form fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and midfielder Yoram Moefana are away with Les Bleus.

Bordeaux-Begles lost 33-28 at home to Stade Francais last Saturday, in a blow to their play-off aspirations.

"They're not European champions for nothing," Tillous-Borde said.

"You can't over-think it, we will want to play well in front of our supporters to hold any hopes of winning.

"I believe, but it's not enough. I'm trying to make it happen," he added.

Bordeaux are not the only side weakened by Six Nations call-ups.

League leaders Toulouse are missing 11 players as they host Bayonne with Antoine Dupont preparing for his first Six Nations match since suffering a serious knee injury in the tournament last March.

Dupont's replacement at the 24-time champions is Paul Graou, who agreed a new deal at Stade Ernest Wallon last year despite the presence of the 2021 World Rugby player of the year.

Graou has provided the joint-most number of assists in the Top 14 this season, alongside Bordeaux's Jalibert on 11.

"When you play nine, and you sign a contract extension with Toulouse, you know too well that Antoine Dupont plays in the same position," Graou told Midi Olympique.

"I see it as being lucky, I wanted more of it.

"I've never regretted my decision," the 28-year-old added.

Elsewhere, La Rochelle host Lyon days after prop Uini Atonio was forced to retire due to a heart attack and second-placed Pau head to Toulon, in fourth and just four points lower in the table, a week after being hammered 59-22 at Toulouse.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Saturday

Montpellier v Stade Francais (1330), Castres v Clermont, Racing 92 v Perpignan, La Rochelle v Lyon, Montauban v Bordeaux-Begles (1535), Toulouse v Bayonne (2000)

Sunday

Pau v Toulon (2005)

F.Brown--ThChM