We are not dead yet, insists Castres coach Urios

Castres v Montpellier

CASTRES might have failed to beat a 14-man Montpellier side last weekend but head coach Christophe Urios is adamant they are still in the hunt for the quarter-finals.

Their home form has been excellent throughout the opening half of the season, suffering defeat only once at the Stade Pierre Antoine agaianst La Rochelle on September 3.

Since then, they have strung together six home wins on the trot, including the 41-7 demolition of Northampton in Round 2.

Montpellier were reduced to 14 men last week after prop Davit Kubriashvili was shown a red card for striking Thibault Lassale in the face with his shoulder, but Castres failed to capitalise on the extra man as Montpellier clawed their way back from 11-10 down at the break to pull off an impressive 36-14 win.

They sit third in the pool but Urios reckons a bonuspoint win would bring them back into contention.

“We’re not taking this game lightly,” he said. “It’s the Champions Cup and regardless of what some people might say we’re not out of it. If we win with the bonus-point, we can still hope to make it through to the quarter-finals.

“We also have to keep our winning habit at home but most importantly it’ll be nice to beat them as they’re Top 14 rivals and we have a big game coming up against Racing 92 in the league.”

Montpellier boss Jake White said: “They’re not in the race for the quarterfinals anymore but they still have a lot to play for.

“Urios said he won’t be fussed about the game at the end of last weekend’s match but I can assure you he will do whatever he can to beat us.”