JAMES HARRINGTON

FRENCH COLUMN

There’s no doubt the better side won Friday’s Top 14 final. Montpellier’s 29-10 win over Castres at Stade de France was, for all the moments that mattered, one-way traffic.
The game, the result, was driven in particular by one player – England exile Zach Mercer. His standout performance, rivalled perhaps only by that of teammate Jan Serfontein, prompted another outpouring of regret and hope on social media from English fans and pundits.
First, a few facts and notes. In winning their first title at the third attempt, Montpel...