Is there a player with more heart than Mauro Bergamasco? The emblematic flanker of the Italian XV experienced the first thrills of the Squadra Azzura and the finest hours of the Stade Français. The Italian centurion (106 caps) agreed to tell us about his most beautiful and painful memories. All with what has always characterized him : generosity.
What is your fondest memory on a rugby field?
It would be easy to say “victories.” There is no one moment in particular. There are several memories, each with their own importance. But if there is something more special, more touching, I would say the victory against Wales, in Rome, when I played center with my brother (Mirco). Why was it the most beautiful? Because it was our first victory against them, I played more than 40 minutes with my brother, it was at home, it was unexpected, we won in the 74th minute or something like that...
Who is the best player you have played with?
Listen, I had the chance to join Stade Français in 2003, which was full of great players everywhere. There were so many internationals that it was a team that could have played at international level. But hey, I had someone named Diego Dominguez. He was someone I followed, who was always next to me, because his role and my role were linked in a common space. There was Pichot, number 9, who was someone very intelligent, powerful on the pitch… but I could give you all the players! Marconnet and De Villiers for the pillars, Momo Blin at the heel, Auradou and Mike James in the second row, Tabacco, Martin, Moni, Rabadan… behind Dominici, Corleto, Liebenberg. There was a lot of talent. I had the chance to play with great players. I always liked the players who were around me, especially in Paris. But the most complete player? Hernandez. And maybe Dominguez. I could give you some names and forget others. Look, Brian Liebenberg for example! Another player who was very physical, but who could play with the hand, with the foot...
Who was the player you feared the most on the field?
He didn't really scare me, but I always had this rivalry, when we played against Ireland, with Brian O'Driscoll. We had caught each other quite a few times. And each time, they were very aggressive encounters. And after the match, there was still this friendship, this conviviality of the third half. But it’s true that we only met on an international level. There was a little less possibility of being able to speak. And then I shouldn't have been the nicest player for him, so he wasn't the player I interacted with most easily (laughs) !
What is your best memory in Top 14?
The one that comes to my mind was the try I scored in the 2004 final, against Perpignan. It was something we tried in training, but we didn't really believe in this combination. And at that moment, we looked into each other's eyes, I remember, and we said to each other "we're going to go there now". And this touch, this combination, it ends with a test as we wanted. And it was huge because I scored this try while I was coming back from injury, I was lucky to be there for the final stages... and behind it I scored a try, in the final, at the Stade de France, with my Stade Français, against USAP. It was wonderful.
What is the most beautiful stadium you have played in?
In Italy, I always preferred when we played in Flaminio. Because it was the beginning, because it was us, because it was our story. But I admit that the old Lansdown Road was magnificent. With the train... let's say that I like old stadiums, where there is no track around and where the stands are on the pitch. And then in 2009, when we played the All-Blacks at San-Siro, it was magnificent.
