Led until the 53rd minute, Philippe Saint-André's team reversed the course of a match that was not well controlled thanks to the contribution of their bench, in particular from the third center line Zach Mercer who entered at the break.

Five days before the end of the championship, Montpellier has a provisional six-point lead over Bordeaux-Bègles (2nd), who travel to the Stade Français in the evening, and ten over a trio of teams, La Rochelle (3rd), Castres (4th) and Lyon (5th).

The MHR, which remains on a narrow victory (18-16) in front of Toulon in the last three matches, was not really reassured against a promoted, far from being demobilized after the disappearance of its former Argentine player Federico Martin Aramburu shot dead on March 19 in Paris.

The meeting was preceded by a minute of applause.

The Biarrots gather for a minute of silence in front of the portrait of former Argentinian player Federico Martin Aramburu, shot dead on March 19 in Paris, before their Top 14 match, March 26, 2022, on the field of Montpellier Sylvain THOMAS AFP

Biarritz is eleven points behind Perpignan (13th), the roadblocker.

The Basque team will play its last chance match on Saturday in Aguilera in front of Pau to hope to avoid direct relegation a year after its comeback.

Despite the return of its two French internationals, Mohamed Haouas and Paul Willemse, promoted to captain, Montpellier sought its bearings for more than a half-time and struggled in front of a brave Basque team.

Indiscipline, approximations, ill-adjusted footwork, Montpellier completely missed out on their first period.

His solid defense even conceded three tries by Irish third row Dave O'Callaghan (4), hooker Lucas Peyresblanques (25) and flanker Mathieu Hirigoyen (39) to trail by eight points at the break (14-22) .

Biarrot flanker Mathieu Hirigoyen scores the 3rd try against Montpellier, during their match of the 21st day of the Top 14, March 26, 2022 at the GGL Stadium Sylvain THOMAS AFP

Under the effect of the entry into play of the third line center English Mercer, and an experienced bench, Anthony Bouthier, Guilhem Guirado ..., Montpellier took control of the meeting in the 53rd minute (24-22) .

Montpellier's English flanker Zach Mercer tries to escape a tackle from a Biarritz player, during the 21st day of the Top 14, March 26, 2022 at GGL Stadium Sylvain THOMAS AFP

If the MHR added a fourth try at the end of the match through the returning third line Kélian Galletier (78), after the double of the second international line Willemse (21, 50), and the winger Gabriel Ngandebe (29), he was never able to snag the offensive bonus.

© 2022 AFP