Despite letting victory slip from their grasp, Montpellier's coach remains gracious, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY
REMY MARTIN would be forgiven for sipping a few a stiff cognacs in the early hours of Sunday morning. Rugby and its rules have another martyr as Martin fell foul of one of the contentious “big five”.
The veteran French flanker did what comes naturally to him in the 80th minute of a game he has played all his life. He was first man on the scene once Isa Nacewa was tackled a few yards short of the Montpellier line. Martin stayed on his feet, as long as possible, and got his paws on the rugby ball. That’s what wing forwards do – it’s instinctive.
The breakdown is an area that referees have been instructed to police with vigilance.
“I certainly think Remy Martin plunged on to the ball,” said Joe Schmidt. “It is one of the big five that they have said they are not going to let happen.”
Nobody bothered to mention the antics of the, albeit brilliant, Richie McCaw in the World Cup final. But we could have.
“I think then if he had let it go the referee would have played on but the fact that he held on, and held on . . . that’s what I saw from where I was sitting. There were probably a couple of decisions we felt didn’t go our way.”
So Pearson, considering the environment and timing of the penalty, made a brave decision?
“I just thought it was accurate,” added Schmidt. “If being accurate is brave, good on the referee.”
It’s a fine line, this breakdown thing. Remy Martin would have been sipping champagne in some Montpellier penthouse, in those early hours, had Jonathan Sexton’s touchline penalty not been so true.
Fabien Galthie, their ultra-intelligent coach, adopted his usual attitude when this issue was laid at his feet. The high moral ground is where the former French scrumhalf always stands.
“We have to say fair play and congratulations for Sexton because it was difficult to give. This is the law.”
So it was a legitimate penalty, Fabien? “I don’t know.”
Galthie’s body language at the time told us more. He immediately stood up and walked towards the dressingroom – not even waiting to see Sexton’s kick.
Afterwards he spoke about being proud of the youngest side in the Top 14. And having reached last year’s final against Toulouse they are certainly ahead of schedule in terms of development.
“Leinster played well. In the last 20 minutes it was attack against defence. Leinster had possession, they didn’t lower their rhythm, they played in a methodical and structured manner. They didn’t put us in too much difficulty but they made us retreat and retreat and made us foul. It wasn’t stolen.”
No it wasn’t. And Leinster gleaned some reward for their substantial efforts.
Fergus McFadden and Seán O’Brien sustained knee bangs but both should recover for Glasgow’s visit to the RDS on Saturday. Cian Healy is also expected to make a full recovery from the glute strain that ruled him out of this match.
Healy’s absence presented Heinke van der Merwe with a rare 80 minutes, while the arrival of Nathan White, for a bruised Mike Ross, was a clear indication of the prop pecking order.
White will not forget his Heineken Cup debut any time soon. Nor will his ribs. “Nathan did a good job at scrum time and got his ribs put through his spine by Na’ama Leleimalefaga,” said Schmidt.
It was the heaviest of tackles from the 19-stone Samoan. The hardy Kiwi dusted himself down and trundled off to the next ruck.
Undoubtedly, the intensity told on Montpellier. They are ferociously intimidating moving forward but their big men were blowing hard as General Sexton co-ordinated the late assault.
“He is a great game manager,” said the coach of his outhalf. “Jonny is really pivotal to what we do. He organises the guys around him. He makes sure he has done all his homework during the week, that allows things to be instinctive for him rather than having to reflect and make late calls. He is very clear in what he knows we need to do. Between him and Leo he gives us fantastic leadership around the park.”
