Ouedraogo unleashed and ready to roll

WHATEVER about the final score against New Zealand a few weeks ago, the 2011 World Cup will go down as a personal disappointment for Montpellier’s Fulgence Ouedraogo.

The 25-year-old flanker saw only 10 minutes of action in the entire tournament, as a replacement in France’s matches against Canada and Wales.

Worse still, every time Ouedraogo checked in online to see how his club were getting on in the Top 14, he was more-often-than-not met with further disappointment. After reaching their first ever French Championship final last year, Montpellier have endured a rocky start to the season, and are perched perilously close to the relegation zone.

“From my point of view, there have been a lot of factors that have entered into play,” says Ouedraogo candidly. “Shortened preparation, the absence of many internationals, injuries... After that, you’ve had a lot of talented players arrive at the club and even if they are really talented players, they always need time to find their bearings and integrate themselves into the squad. You could also say Montpellier have been analysed a lot more this year and the element of surprise is no longer there.”

In total, they lost 11 players to the World Cup, a huge number for a club still a long way behind heavyweights such as Toulouse and Clermont. Yet for a club that was only founded in 1986, they have come a long way in a short space of time. In the past decade, in particular, they’ve gone from being domestic cannon-fodder to Top 14 contenders and Heineken qualifiers, a remarkable achievement. Ouedraogo is particularly proud of that, and in spite of domestic difficulties, he says they fully intend giving their first Heineken Cup a real go.

“The H Cup is a major priority for the club,” explains Ouedraogo. “We struggled for years to get our place in this tournament and now we’re finally here, we’re going to take it very seriously. I can assure you Montpellier will not squander their time in the Heineken Cup.”

In many ways, it’s a shame that the game will not be played at their home ground, the beautiful Yves du Manoir Stadium. Built for the 2007 World Cup, Yves du Manoir is an architectural gem and a venue Montpellier have rarely disappointed in. Ouedraogo claims that decision to move the game to the 32,000 Stade de la Mosson (home to Montpellier football team) was a compliment to Leinster but one suspects the extra 19,000 in capacity has something to do with it too.

“To have them here is of huge importance, the proof of which is in the fact that we moved the game to a bigger stadium. We didn’t want an occasion like this to pass us by.

“It’s a huge honour to be playing the European champions in Montpellier. They’re a great team, full of great players and prestigious international stars, and they play some beautiful rugby.

“They are solid everywhere and can rely on experienced guys who’ve done the business at the highest level. Above all else, they’ve got a superb back line with the likes of Sexton, D’Arcy and O’Driscoll, who are capable of creating danger at any moment.

“Then there’s the back row where they’ve got some powerful carriers in O’Brien and Heaslip. We know the task ahead is difficult...”

That task has been made all the more difficult given the postponement of last weekend’s game against Lyon because of an outbreak of mumps at the newly-promoted club. For Ouedraogo and France team-mate Francois Trinh-Duc, the game against Leinster will be their first taste of club action this season, hardly ideal preparation.

“I’d have preferred to have played against Lyon in Top 14 last weekend to get a game under my belt and find my rhythm. I’m still ready to give it a go. Saturday can’t come quickly enough.”