The French connection is perfect for Beattie
FITTINGLY, for a man who admits to being drunk on French life and culture, Johnnie Beattie has no regrets. While his former clubs Glasgow and Montpellier go head-to-head at a chilly Scotstoun Stadium this afternoon, he will be returning from yesterday’s battle with Leinster in Dublin to sunny Castres eager to catch the recording of the European Champions Cup match — but not wishing he was there.
Last weekend, he wore a T-shirt that read ‘Nous sommes tous Charlie’, as did all of his Castres team-mates in support of those killed in the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
He is happily married and settled less than three years after his move from Glasgow.
Indeed, he spoke so highly of the Montpellier lifestyle that his sister, Jenny, joined him for a while as a professional footballer. Also, his French has come a long way since high-school studies.
But there is palpable excitement in the 17-stone, 6ft 4in Glaswegian at the prospect of seeing his old teams clash.
‘It is very exciting,’ he said. ‘I know the players on both sides pretty well, the strengths and weaknesses, how they like to play, so it will be really interesting. I’ll have it recorded to make sure I see it if we are not back from Dublin in time.
‘But, no, I don’t wish I was playing. It has been great to see Glasgow kick on, the work coach Gregor Townsend is doing, and the influence of Matt Taylor (defence coach), taking what we built up to another level.
‘I was born in Glasgow, grew up in the city, played rugby all through school and was lucky enough to get to represent the city for a good few years in professional sport.
‘There comes a time, though, when you have to move on and challenge yourself again. Moving to France gave me that. It has reinvigorated me.’
For those who felt the laid-back Scot had sought an easy life in the south of France — and there were a few — the switch he made last summer from Montpellier to Castres revealed a still-beating desire.
He quit the coastal city to head inland because Castres played a style of game that was different to Scotland’s, the back row explains.
He said: ‘I still want to play for Scotland and, while I’d never say I lacked any motivation, when you are in and out of the picture and you spend time watching Scotland from afar, it makes you appreciate the opportunity even more.
‘I moved to Castres because they were an ambitious club that wanted to play the kind of rugby we like in this country, that Glasgow are playing, and the way
Scotland are playing, so I am more involved in the game now and have more chances to influence games. And that’s what the national coaches want from me.
‘Ironically, Montpellier have changed their coach from Fabien Galthie to Jake White, and they may move now to my sort of game.’
Beattie clearly has a unique insight into today’s protagonists and, although some personnel and coaches have changed from when he wore their colours, he insists he has a good idea of how the game will pan out.
‘They are two teams in entirely different situations. Glasgow have built a strong squad over a few seasons, learned a lot about playing in Europe and are now challenging for honours consistently.
‘Montpellier are under a new coach with new ideas. Jake White has only come in the past few weeks and he has sent a weakened side to Glasgow with an eye on leaping up the Top 14 table (they sit eighth) and qualify for next season’s Champions Cup.
‘They have left out some of their big game-breakers, Rene Ranger, Anthony Tuitavake and Jon Pelissie, while Francois Trinh-Duc is injured — but there are still guys capable of causing problems for Glasgow.
‘Akapusi Qera, Ben Mowen (signed as replacement for Beattie) and Wynand Olivier can match what Niko Matawalu can do for Glasgow.
‘The question is whether they bring the desire. It doesn’t seem to matter how many foreign players come into the French game, the mindset about away games is the same.
‘I would guess that 95 per cent of teams in France will win all of their home games.
‘The players get up for home games in a way they don’t when they travel. At home, they feel the pressure to be at their best and they can’t afford to lose because the way the culture is you hear about it from people in the street in the days after the game.
‘In saying that, Toulouse put out their big men and won in Glasgow, but they played a game in conditions that suited those players.
‘However, I expect Glasgow to have too much for Montpellier this weekend.’
There will have been a few smiles in Glasgow at the sight of the French line-up.
Montpellier are without quite a few other first choices, namely France backs Benjamin Fall and Anthony Floch, along with forwards Nicolas Mas, Yvan Watremez, Thibaut Privat and Fulgence Ouedraogo.
‘Glasgow now have a very simple game-plan and are very effective at using it,’ added Beattie.
‘They are a very hard team to beat because it’s hard to get ball off them. When you do, they come at you very hard and are good at getting it back.
‘And the Toulouse games will have taught them a bit about their own strengths, and weaknesses.
‘They have developed a strong front five, depth to rotate and good scrum and lineout.
‘They have the quality in defence and attack to beat Montpellier and go to Bath and win down there. I have no doubts about that.’
Glasgow have quality. I expect them to beat Montpellier and go to Bath and win down there