The emblematic leader of the club, Fulgence Ouedraogo, who is ending his career, and his partners presented the first Brennus shield in the history of this team on a platform facing the Comédie opera house, in contagious jubilation .

"We are the champions, we are the champions", proclaimed a very family-oriented audience, in the midst of a few smoke bombs, blue and white flags and a gardian (guardian of a Camargue herd) on horseback.

"Fufu" Ouedraogo, 35, who did not play in the final, will have lived his entire career in Montpellier, from the meanders of the maintenance race at the end of the 2010s to the first two finals lost in 2011 and 2018, ahead of Stade Toulouse and Castres respectively.

"I came to greet the old ones like + Fufu +, Paillaugue or Guirado (Editor's note: the former hooker of the France team), confided Philippe, a loyal supporter for twenty years: "It's an important moment for them, but also for the club.

This first title can allow him to take a step, to experience a click.

After a festive night in Paris, the MHR players landed late Saturday afternoon at Montpellier station, before joining the Comédie aboard two buses, shortly after 8 p.m.

Rugby club Mohed Altrad (right) speaks on the stand set up on the Place de la Comédie alongside the mayor of Montpellier Michael Delafosse during the celebrations organized on the occasion of the title of French rugby champion of the MHR on June 25, 2022 Pascal GUYOT AFP

"It's a totally deserved title for the players in view of their season", assured the international player of Montpellier Caroline Boujard, present on the Comédie with friends: "Until then, they had achieved great things, but they did not "did not have this title. The only title of champion of France won by the MHR was the fruit of the women's team", smiled the three-quarters of the France team, which is preparing for the World Cup in New Zealand.

walkabout

Ten years after the coronation of the footballers of Louis Nicollin, former president who died in 2017, Mohed Altrad's MHR has enjoyed a walkabout in a city that has favored the place of all sports for four decades.

The MHR, a young club born in 1986, has more than ever won its place in Languedoc, long dominated by the prestigious Hérault neighbor Béziers and its eleven titles, and in French rugby.

"I come here to celebrate a title every ten years. I was present in 2012 to celebrate the title of the band in Girard" (Editor's note: René Girard, the coach of the Montpellier football champions), smiled Julien, carrying a a Montpellier Hérault jersey with his eight-year-old son on his shoulders: "This title can have a real popular impact", explained this entrepreneur.

MHR players with the Shield of Brennus in front of the crowd at Place de la Comédie in Montpellier during the celebrations organized for the title of champion of the Top 14 of Montpellier on June 25, 2022 Pascal GUYOT AFP

"The players and the staff of the MHR, new French rugby champions, invite you to the Place de la Comédie to celebrate this all together", had launched the town hall.

And they were thousands of Montpellier residents of all ages, including many families with the club jersey, to answer the call, before heading to the GGL stadium to continue the evening with the new champions of France.

"We feel that Saint-André (Editor's note: the manager, former coach of the France team), has found the right formula", welcomed Philippe: "He has a good staff, he has Frenchified his workforce, where there is there were too many South Africans at one time. Now all that's missing is the public. Here, it's neither La Rochelle nor Clermont".

© 2022 AFP