Montpellier Herault Rugby secured the top coaching staff award at the Nuit du Rugby, edging out Stade Toulousain after a season that included a Challenge Cup victory and a runner-up finish in the Top 14, Le Figaro reported.
An Unprecedented Fast-Track Coaching Trio
Just two years after taking charge of MHR, manager Joan Caudullo alongside assistants Benoît Paillaugue and Geoffrey Doumayrou were awarded the best coaching staff accolade for the 2025-2026 season by a vote of fellow coaches and referees. The recognition placed the Montpellier staff ahead of Toulouse, whose representatives voiced frustration over the outcome. An assistant to Toulouse coach Ugo Mola remarked ironically about the decision, suggesting that winning a fifth French title might be required to earn the honor next year, according to Le Figaro. Joan Caudullo, surrounded by a part of his assistants, received the best Top 14 staff trophy last Monday at the Olympia, stating: Nous sommes donc très fiers de recevoir ce trophée et de le dédier à nos joueurs.
Mohed Altrad Promotes Former Players to Leadership Roles
Club president Mohed Altrad initiated the high-risk coaching structure in June 2024 by promoting three former MHR players directly into leadership roles. Caudullo previously served as forwards coach under Patrice Collazo, while Paillaugue and Doumayrou stepped straight into coaching roles upon retiring from playing. Altrad bypassed traditional experience requirements to implement a distinct club identity, selecting former hooker Caudullo, scrum-half Paillaugue, and center Doumayrou over the initial objections of director of rugby Bernard Laporte. Altrad explained that the objective was to “montpelliariser” the club by placing trust in former players who deeply understand the local environment and young talent pool. Former France coach Bernard Laporte recounted to Le Figaro that Mohed Altrad told him, on va “montpelliariser” le club
.
Youth Players Integrate into the Senior Setup
The young coaching ticket integrated youth successfully into the senior setup, highlighted by the appointment of 22-year-old Lenni Nouchi as team captain. The wider coaching structure also incorporates Antoine Battut for the lineout, Didier Bès for the scrum, Gaëlle Mignot for contact skills, Jérémy Valls for kicking, Benson Stanley for rucks, and Jesse Mogg for exit strategies.
Related reading
