The timing of announcements sometimes says more than the announcements themselves. Montpellier lost two international forwards for the autumn, and on the same day tied down the one who plays the most.

Three more years

Alexandre Bécognée, 30, with one France cap, was coming to the end of his contract. He has agreed to three more seasons with Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

The club’s third most-used forward

Last season, Bécognée played 23 Top 14 matches, 19 of them as a starter, for 1,520 minutes.

In the Montpellier pack, only Billy Vunipola, with 1,760 minutes in 23 matches, and lock Tyler Duguid, with 1,600 minutes in 24 matches, played more. Florian Verhaeghe has the same total as Bécognée, 1,520 minutes, but in three fewer matches.

Across all competitions, L’Équipe reports 28 appearances and 24 starts, a count that includes European competition.

An extension that comes at the right time

MHR announced on Thursday that Mohamed Haouas, who has had surgery for a groin problem, would miss three months, and that Jordan Uelese, who suffered a broken jaw, would be out for several months.

Uelese played 19 Top 14 matches for 1,360 minutes last season, Haouas also 19 but for only 560 minutes. Reda Wardi and Sébastien Bézy are also still recovering.

Four experienced forwards out of action on one side, a three-year contract signed on the other, on the same day.