Alex eyes glory finish to iffy start in France

ALEX LOZOWSKI hopes to end a rollercoaster year in France on a high by adding a European Challenge Cup winner’s medal to the two he gained in the Champions Cup with Saracens.

- JON NEWCOMBE

After a terrible start to the Top 14 season, Lozowski’s Montpellier are one of the form teams either side of the English channel and they are now 80 minutes from lifting silverware.

Leicester stand in their way on Friday but Montpellier boss Philippe Saint-Andre has history when it comes to beating the Tigers in a big final at Twickenham, having led Sale to the Premiership title in 2006.

Lozowski, 27, has been impressed by the way the former France head coach has been able to turn things aroun.

“The way we wanted to play the game wasn’t working and it wasn’t really a surprise we struggled at the start of the Top 14,” the Londoner said.

“Having said that, we were close to winning on so many occasions. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so many last-minute defeats – I think we had seven. I’ve never known anything like it.

“Then Philippe came in and got more involved and along with Oliver Azam and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, the three of them have got us going again.

“They have simplified things for us which frees the players up to go out and give it everything.