"When I'm with them, I'm good. There's a feeling. In the past, with the staff at the time, I was the president. There, with the three, I'm a partner, I'm an element additional to what they do. This is called synergy", justified Mohed Altrad.

Saint-André, 54, joined the MHR in February 2020 to succeed Vern Cotter as director of rugby.

On January 2, 2021, the day after a home defeat in front of Toulouse, he took control of the Hérault team, then plunged to 13th place in the Top 14, and the succession of Xavier Garbajosa (2020-2021).

The former boss of the Blues (2011-2015) transformed the MHR in fifteen months.

After saving him from relegation last year, with the added bonus of a second European Challenge title, he carried the Hérault team to the top of the Top 14, on the verge of direct qualification for the semi-finals.

Montpellier coach Philippe Saint-André poses with the Challenge Cup trophy after his team's 18-17 final victory over Leicester on May 21, 2021 at Twickenham Stadium in London AFP / Archives

His experience in Montpellier was good for "PSA", after his difficult experience in the France team, concluded by the failure in the quarter-finals against the All Blacks (62-13) at the World Cup in England.

The former international winger from Clermont (69 caps), who is one of the first French players to move across the Channel, led Gloucester (1988-2002) and Sale (2005-09), before taking charge of hand Toulon (2009-11).

Philippe Saint-André had forged links with Mohed Altrad during the failed takeover attempt of the English club Gloucester.

Besides Saint-André, Montpellier has also extended the contracts of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Olivier Azam.

The 44-year-old former international scrum half (35 caps) arrived at the MHR in January 2020, after leading the backs of Stade Toulousain (2010-2017) and joining the staff of the Blues alongside Jacques Brunel ( 2018-2019).

Azam, 47, has been in charge of MHR forwards since November 2020, where he replaced Pierre-Philippe Lafond.

Four days before the end of the championship, Montpellier occupies first place in the Top 14 and is preparing to play a round of 16 first leg of the European Cup on Sunday.

© 2022 AFP