Vannes vs Montpellier Predictions - Montpellier to edge Vannes in Top 14 Round 2 clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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Montpellier favoured to beat Vannes in Top 14 Round 2 (-2.5 handicap).
Vannes showed late resilience in Pro D2 promotion but struggled in their Top 14 opener.
Montpellier's squad depth and recent silverware give them an advantage.

Montpellier to edge Vannes in Top 14 Round 2 clash (Getty Images)

Vannes vs Montpellier Predictions

Montpellier enters as the favourite against Vannes for their Top 14 Round 2 match largely due to their superior squad depth, established top-flight pedigree, and stronger set-piece control. My best bet is Montpellier to cover the -2.5 handicap.

Vannes vs Montpellier Predictions
Head-to-Head
Vannes Form
Vannes Injuries & Team News
Montpellier Form
Montpellier Injuries & Team News

Vannes lost 29-20 to Castres in their opening Top 14 match.
Montpellier has won 1 of their 2 matches against Vannes.
Montpellier lost 27-19 to Pau in their opening Top 14 match.

Head-to-Head

Montpellier has won one of the two encounters against Vannes.

Vannes Form

Newly promoted Vannes lost 29-20 to Castres in their opening Top 14 match at Stade Pierre-Fabre in Castres, France, after trailing 17-7 at halftime.

Vannes struggled early on and ultimately lost the match due to a dominant, unanswered 26-point surge by Castres built over the first hour of play.

The turning point in the first half came at the 30-minute mark when Vannes' Santiago Medrano received a yellow card, allowing Castres to capitalise on the temporary numerical advantage.

Despite the massive deficit, Vannes showed great resilience in the final quarter. They rallied late to save their scoring line with a wonder try from Benjamin Thomas Stevenson (64') and a late score by Millenium Sanerivi (70') that narrowed the gap to a respectable nine points.

Vannes won the Pro D2 final by defeating Provence Rugby 18–14 on June 6, 2026, securing an immediate return to the Top 14.

Vannes Injuries & Team News

Head coach Jean-Noel Spitzer kept the core promotion-winning group intact while adding vital depth in the pack and backline with experienced international additions like Matías Alemanno (lock), Beka Shvangiradze (flanker), Giorgi Beria (prop), and Simione Kuruvoli (scrum-half).

Montpellier Form

Montpellier suffered a 19–27 home defeat against Pau in their opening round of the 2026–27 Top 14 season at Septeo Stadium in Montpellier, after trailing 17-7 at the break.

Montpellier fought back late in the half after going down 10-0, with a try from hooker Lyam Akrab to close the deficit to 10-7. However, a costly lapse just before the siren allowed Pau to cross the line, sending Montpellier into the break down 17-7.

Montpellier staged an impressive comeback right after the interval, with tries from Auguste Cadot and Yacouba Camara to briefly give Montpellier a 19-17 lead.

Montpellier's defence could not preserve the advantage with Pau stretching the lead beyond a single score, sealing a disappointing home defeat for Montpellier.

Montpellier finished second in the 2025/26 campaign table with 82 points, winning 17 of their 26 matches.

Montpellier Injuries & Team News

Montpellier enters the 2026/27 Top 14 campaign under head coach Joan Caudullo with heightened expectations after winning the 2026 EPCR Challenge Cup and reaching the Top 14 domestic final.

Alongside the domestic Top 14 schedule, Montpellier will test its roster depth in the elite Investec Champions Cup, drawn into a highly competitive pool featuring Northampton Saints, Stade Français, Cardiff, and the Bulls.