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The Fans Championship enters a new phase!The first phase of the Fans Championship is over, but don’t worry—a new adventure begins soon! Get ready to join Phase 2, which will run from November 4 to January 12, 2025. This new phase, offered by LegendaryPlays, will highlight the derbies. Your goal? Collect as many Plays as possible from these historic matches to rack up points in your album!How does it work?The rule is simple: the more Plays you collect from a derby, the more points you earn! To help you maximize your score, here’s a list of matches that will grant you bonus points in your album. Don’t wait; start collecting your Plays now by clicking the button below to purchase your pack:I buy the packList of derbies to follow:- Bayonne-Biarritz- Racing-Stade Français- Dax-Biarritz- La Rochelle-Bordeaux- Lyon-Oyonnax- Oyonnax-Grenoble- Bayonne-Pau- Toulon-Montpellier- Bayonne-Bordeaux- Mont de Marsan-Bayonne- Colomiers-Toulouse- Castres-Colomiers- Toulouse-Castres- Clermont-Brive- Dax-Bayonne- Béziers-Perpignan- Lyon-Grenoble- Pau-Biarritz- Aurillac-Brive- Narbonne-Perpignan- Albi-Toulouse- Vannes-Rouen- Castres-AlbiBoost your collection!Don’t forget to participate regularly in Challenges available to take on extra challenges that let you earn even more Plays. This is the perfect chance to upgrade your album and assert your dominance in this competition!Win exclusive rewardsYou can win exclusive prizes, such as:- 6 match tickets for the TOP 14 Final- 20 match tickets for the TOP 14 Semi-Final- 3 signed TOP 14 jerseys- 3 official TOP 14 jerseys- 14 places to visit the LNR and see the Brennus Shield up close Below is a summary table of the rewards you can win based on your overall ranking:Overall RankingReward1-32 tickets for the TOP 14 Final at Stade de France*4-132 tickets for the TOP 14 Semi-Final at Groupama Stadium (Lyon)*14-66LegendaryPlays Pack*67-10050% discount code on a LegendaryPlays Pack You also have the chance to win prizes through your club ranking!Club #1Player PositionReward1stSigned club jersey + LNR visit*2ndClub jersey*3rdClub jersey*Club #2Player PositionReward1stSigned club jersey + LNR visit*2ndClub jersey*Club #3Player PositionReward1stSigned club jersey + LNR visit**subject to having at least 7 Plays in your album.For clubs ranked 4th to 14th, the top player in each will be rewarded with an LNR visit.Quick reminder:Your Phase 1 album has been closed, and your score has been reset.This is the perfect time to rewrite your story and climb to the top of the LegendaryPlays rankings.Ready to take on the challenge? It’s your move!
Join the Fans Championship with LegendaryPlays and win exclusive rewards from the world of Rugby!The 2024/2025 Fans Championship is here, so don’t wait and show everyone that you’re the biggest fan and that your favourite club has the best supporters.Play to win:50 unique VIP experiences, including:- A private visit to the champion team with access to the trophy;- An exclusive dinner or a guest appearance on the Rugby Legends show with a Rugby legend;- The right to attend a playoff match from the stadium pitch;- Participation in the post-final press conference. 400 match tickets Seats for the championship semi-finals and final, and annual subscriptions.200 collectible itemsRugby balls and jerseys signed by Rugby stars.Over 1,000 digital itemsExclusive Plays packs to collect and use in the game. How to Play :Create your “Fans Championship” album with your favorite club and fill it with your Plays:- Every album opened in the name of your club earns points for it and boosts its position in the club rankings. Spread the word!- Increase your album’s score by carefully selecting the Plays you include. Your points will also benefit your club.- Check out the detailed scoring mechanics for TOP 14 and URCThe championship is divided into 5 stages (clubs, derbies, international players, playoffs, and the grand finale) with new prizes to win at each stage. Discover the prizes for Stage 1, which ends in late October, for TOP 14 and URC To win these prizes, it’s simple :- Ensure your club ranks as high as possible on the club leaderboard.- Be at the top of the global and club-specific individual rankings.So, join LegendaryPlays and experience the excitement of Rugby like never before! It's your turn to play!
The 2023-2024 URC season saw the Glasgow Warriors crowned champions for the second time in their history. With a victory over the Bulls in the final, winning 16 to 21, the Scots achieved a remarkable feat, defeating Munster away in the semi-finals before overcoming the South Africans in their own backyard in the final. Let's take a look at the standout players of this 2023-2024 season.1) Jamie Osborne, a Four-Star CloverThe versatile back from Leinster showcased his immense talent this season. With 13 games in the championship and 4 in the Champions Cup, including the final against Stade Toulousain, Osborne became a key player for his franchise. Scoring 3 tries and displaying great promise, the Irishman earned his first caps for the Ireland national team at just 22 years old! A line-breaking force in Leinster's attack, Osborne is known for his excellent kicking game and remarkable game-reading skills. The challenge now is to secure his place as an undisputed starter in the green jersey, a significant task given the competition...Watch his opportunistic try against the Ospreys 2) Sacha Mngomezulu, a Debut with the SpringboksSacha Mngomezulu stood out this season with his club, the Stormers. Playing 11 matches and scoring 5 tries, 9 penalties, and 9 conversions, the South African center made a significant impact. A reliable kicker, solid defender, and sharp attacker, Mngomezulu's impressive season was rewarded with his first caps for the national team. He participated in all 4 summer test matches with the Springboks, scoring 17 points. At 22, the young Stormers center is a player to watch in the coming years... 3) Cameron Winnett, the New Welsh GemThis season marked a turning point in the career of the young Welsh fullback, Cameron Winnett. At 21 years old, Cardiff's number 15 had a remarkable season 2024! Delivering strong performances for his club, including two tries, Winnett earned his first call-up to the Wales national team. He even started in all the Six Nations matches for the Welsh team. His counter-attacking prowess and electric footwork have won over Welsh fans. 4) Mackenzie Martin, Cardiff's PowerhouseStanding at 1.96 meters and weighing 116 kilograms, these are not the dimensions of a refrigerator, but of Cardiff's flanker, Mackenzie Martin. After a stellar season with his club, featuring in 11 URC matches and 4 in the Champions Cup, Martin also earned his first caps for the Welsh national team. Appearing in three matches during the Six Nations and two test matches, Martin is experiencing a true breakthrough. With his powerful impact, the flanker has the potential to become a standout player in the URC and perhaps for the Wales national team... a player to keep an eye on.. Intégration Vidéo YouTube 5) Max Williamson, the Glasgow GiantThe lock with exceptional size, standing at 2.01 meters and weighing 120 kilograms, made a name for himself this season with the Glasgow Warriors. Crowned URC champion after playing in 15 matches, Williamson also featured in 5 Champions Cup games for his club. Known for his strong impact in both attack and defense, his performances earned him a place in the Scotland national team this summer, participating in 3 test matches. At only 22 years old, the lock had a fantastic season, which he now needs to build on to establish himself in the national team.
Glasgow Warriors Triumph in the 2023-24 URC SeasonThe 2023-24 URC season has concluded, with the Glasgow Warriors emerging as the champions. This marks their second victory in the competition, their first since 2015, after defeating the Bulls in the final with a score of 16-21. Let's take a look back at their remarkable season that led them to lift the trophy.WE ARE WARRIORS ⚔️🛡️WE ARE CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mGVXqsSP4b— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) June 22, 2024 Their PerformancesGlasgow finished the regular season in 4th place, boasting 13 wins and 5 losses, a commendable record. This secured them a spot in the quarterfinals, where they faced the South African Stormers for a place in the semi-finals.At Scotstoun Stadium, the Warriors convincingly beat the Stormers 27-10, advancing to the last four for a highly anticipated clash against the defending champions, Munster.The Scots arrived at Thomond Park as underdogs to challenge the Irish side, who had finished 1st in the regular season. In a tightly contested match, Glasgow pulled off an upset, winning 10-17, thus securing a spot in the final against the Bulls in South Africa.Scoring three tries and demonstrating heroic defense in the final moments, the Glasgow Warriors clinched their second title in history, after 2015, and were crowned the 2023-2024 URC champions.Match Winner 👏@GlasgowWarriors’ Grand Final winning try 🏆Power Angles from @BKTTires 🛞📹#BKTURC #URC | #BKTPowerAngles pic.twitter.com/K9uzuHux6Z— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 24, 2024 Championes, championes, ole ole ole 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lvrldgST7Z— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) June 23, 2024 The Benchmark MatchPerhaps their standout match was the very first of the season. Facing Leinster on the opening day, the Warriors overpowered the Irish team, scoring six tries. The final score? 43-25, setting the tone for their season. A champion’s spirit was likely born that day, foreshadowing their eventual triumph. Revisit the sensational try scored by winger Sebastien Cancelliere in this remarkable match. The Best TryIn the semi-final against Munster, the Warriors delivered an exceptional play that ended with a try. Tom Jordan launched an attack from his own 22 meters, passing to his flanker, who then set up Huw Jones in the gap. The Scottish international broke through, executing a perfect 2-on-1 to assist his winger. Sebastien Cancelliere, once again, completed the play by scoring a try. Player of the SeasonAchieving their second title, the Glasgow Warriors had a stellar season. One player who particularly stood out was hooker Johnny Matthews.Why? The choice is quite clear. In 18 matches, Matthews scored 14 tries, an extraordinary statistic for a hooker, making him the top try-scorer of the championship. Additionally, Matthews was the best line-out thrower in the league, with 162 successful throws, significantly ahead of the second-place thrower with 135.Given the importance of this aspect in rugby, the Scottish hooker truly deserves our admiration. Check out one of his tries.
He's a child of the club, who grew up among the volcanoes. Anthony Floch isn't just a Clermont player, he's a pure ASM product. After losing three finals (2007, 2008 and 2009), he was part of the generation that finally brought the Brennus back to the Place de Jaude. An unforgettable success for the man who, as a kid, simply dreamed of playing a match at Michelin. But he did more than that: he left an indelible mark on the history of his beloved club. A few words. At the start of the 2009 season, this team's history began with three consecutive lost finals (2007, 2008 and 2009). Before the 2009-2010 season, did you have any doubts?Inevitably, after 3 finals, doubts creep in. You're always afraid of stumbling on the last step. So it was paradoxical, because in those years, with Toulouse, we dominated the championship. But we couldn't close the deal. So maybe deep down we were a little apprehensive when we got to the final, because the weight of the past was unconsciously acting on us. But there was also this paradox, which was also the strength of our group, that as soon as we lost a final, the next day we got together and said “too bad, it's not that time, but we're going back. Next year we'll go again”. That shows the strength of character of the group we had. The band of mates we were... to be able to get up every time and go back.On paper, Clermont are a steamroller. What's the Cotter identity?We can't say it was all about attack. But let's just say that we had a group that had already been playing together for a few years. We already had a solid foundation. Every year, maybe one or two new recruits would join us. But each one added value to our squad. The strength of this group is that we've spent a lot of time together, and gone through hard times that have made us stronger and tougher. We had the thickest skin in the world. Because we took it in our stride.If you go back in time, we lost to Stade Français in 2007 (LINK) in the last minute. But before that year, we came out of nowhere. We weren't invited and it was Vern's first year. Nobody was expecting us, and maybe not even us at the time. In 2008, we came up against a great Toulouse team, and that was the only final where there was no contest. And then in 2009 against Perpignan, well... I don't know... Maybe the two previous finals weighed on us. I don't know, it's hard for me after all these years to diagnose the whys and wherefores. I'm not going to say that one team wanted it more than the other, because as soon as you get to the final you've got your teeth into it. But it turned out in USAP's favor, quite simply.At the helm of this team is a player who is, no offense to him, a complete unknown. It's Brock James. Do you remember when he first arrived?Basically, he's not the one to arrive. It was Cameron McIntyre who was due to arrive from the Crusaders, and in fact he signed for Castres. And we ended up with Brock James, who nobody knew. Even us, within the group, were thinking “olalala, the guy's a replacement at the Western Force, but who is he, we're going to get another guy... pfffff”. But then he got everyone to agree. Already when he arrived, during the first training sessions, we could see that technically, he was very strong. With his hands and feet, I said “wow”. Afterwards, I said to myself “maybe we'll wait for the matches”. Because some guys are good in training, but when it comes to the match, there's the management, the pressure and it's just not the same. But I have an anecdote about Brokie when he arrived: before he was here, I was still scoring a few goals. We played our first match in Biarritz. We got a penalty, and I went forward to take it, like in other years. And he comes forward and says, “Look, I've got a good feeling about this one, let me take it”. I said okay, take it. I never stumbled again (laughs)! And in the game?He wasn't just a goalscorer. He was a real strategist. I think he was the missing link in our team. He was the lad who was able to sublimate the team. He knew, along with Vern, that we were very powerful up front and very fast at the back, but we needed chemistry for all that and it was Brock who sorted out a lot of things.From a personal point of view, this 2009-2010 season is one of your most accomplished. You played 31 games. Was that the year you played your best rugby ?No. The year I had the most fun was the first year with Vern. In 2007. There, yeah... I really had a blast. Really, really, really had a blast. Because, once again, the years before weren't so good. And then everything changes. And then it's off to a flying start. And then I had Julien Malzieu, Aurélien Rougerie, I had my mates next to me, the Auvergnats, the kids from the club, a Michelin in fusion, invincibility... I don't know how many tries I scored this year, but it must have been the most prolific year in terms of tries and assists for my mates. For me, the best year, from a rugby point of view, is my best season. Afterwards, I preferred to stop scoring, because Aurelien blamed me - I was scoring too much, and that was preventing him from breaking records, so I preferred to give him the balls (laughs)!That year, you weren't as dominant as in previous seasons: you had to get past the play-offs. Then in the semi-final, you had to go through extra time against Toulon...(He cuts off) an anthology match. For me, it's the greatest match in the history of the Top 14. It played terribly. And I forgot to mention a player who is going to take us to the next level: Morgan Parra. His talent and his win have done us a world of good.It's funny, because he explains that in December, he went to see Vern Cotter to tell him he wanted to leave...Yes, I remember that very well. It was hard for him at first. It takes time to adapt to a new game plan and a new environment. Then there was Kevin Senio, who'd been there for one or two years and had a better grasp of things. And Morgan, he's a huge competitor, and he'd never known failure. So there were a few discussions with Vern (Cotter), with Aurélien (Rougerie), about him. And it's true, he almost dropped the ball. But it shows the character he has and the player he was. But he was an important stone in this club's success.What impressed you most: his composure, his talent or his thirst for victory?In training, we used to have penalty shoot-outs, or little games like that: he always wanted to win. When you play tennis with him, he always wants to win. What really stood out for me was his strong mental attitude. After that, there's everything that goes with it, talent and all. Don't forget that Morgan isn't the most physical player in the league. I told him! With your small body, he sacrificed himself in defense. He never hid. For me, there's one image that sums up Morgan, and that's when Clermont were champions in 2017, and it was he who scooped up the winning ball. He was a dog. It was a bit tough at first, but once he got into his stride and got the measure of his position, he really became a leader.It's strange because this finals campaign is a very tight play-off, a semi-final that goes into extra time, with 24 hours less recovery time. It's as if Clermont have never been in such dire straits before a final. How is the week leading up to the final going?It's weird, and I'm not the only one who felt that way: there was a serenity. The week, the day before, when we arrived at the match, that we didn't have in other years. There was no doubt. Maybe our route was harder. But there was no doubt that we were going to win. There was this bubble, this feeling that nothing could happen to us. And when I talk about it with my teammates at the time, we all felt that way. It was our year, it was for us, and nothing could happen to us. You can feel it in this final: it's controlled from start to finish. We were in a tough spot, but that freed us from something for this final. It's inexplicable, but we had that serenity.If you had to keep just one image from this final, what would it be?I have flashes that come back. Especially since my son is nine and plays rugby, and he's starting to take an interest in my career. So he asks me a lot of questions. So I tell him. It's quite moving. What I remember most are the last five minutes on the pitch. The score was up. So I took advantage. I enjoyed it, saying to myself, “At last”. At last we were going to be able to take it home and share it with these people, who have never given up on us. I could see all the fans jumping and dancing in the stands. And I just thought about enjoying that, those five minutes of happiness. It was the first time I'd left the Stade de France with a banana. Every time, I used to cry in the dressing room. But this was a pleasure... Rugby-wise, I've never experienced a pleasure like this before. Besides, I was born in Clermont, I'm a child of the club, my father is a supporter of the club. When I was three, I was in the stands at the MichelinIn this Top 14 final, you put in a drop. It's a lovely symbol. Did you dream of this when you were a kid?But when I was a kid, I never dreamed that far ahead. My dream was just to play a match at Marcel-Michelin. That was it. That was my dream. Just to play a match with the pros. I've played over 220, in full stadiums, with my mates... I've had some fabulous years.
Formed at Colomiers, where he had his finger on the pulse of a French championship title and a continental crown, the situation is strange. Despite his immense talent, at the dawn of 2006-2007, David Skrela had only won one title with Stade Français (2004) and had just one cap for Les Bleus. In 2007, after losing two finals, he finally returned to the thrill of victory. And settled in with the French national team. A look back at an immense season. And a hard-fought victory at the Stade de France.At the start of the season, Paris was one of the favorites. Did you quickly sense that this team could win a title?Ever since I arrived in Paris in 2003, we've always had a squad capable of going all the way. The year before, we lost to Toulouse in Lyon in the semi-finals. The year before that, we'd lost two finals in extra time. So we had a squad capable of going all the way in all competitions. We had talent everywhere, so yes. We had the profile.Since your arrival in 2003, the Stade Français has made a name for itself with its pink shirts, nude player calendars and matches at the Stade de France. How do you feel about this somewhat... extravagant team?It's true that it's a bit unsettling at first. I've been with Colomiers since I was a kid. It took me a little time to adapt and I had five or six months that were a bit complicated. Time to adapt to Paris, a new city, a new club, new teammates. Quite simply, a new life. But it's very different from other clubs. You're a bit of a household name when you're at Jean-Bouin. But after 300 meters, nobody knows you anymore. We're the capital's club, but apart from a few people like Christophe Dominici, in Paris we were quiet. That's what I liked about it. As soon as the match was over, we'd go and have a drink in Paris, and we'd relax. It was precisely to get away from that that Max had the idea of doing things that were a little... a little offbeat (smiles). The calendar, the pink shirts, the Stade de France with all those matches against Toulouse, the concerts, the fireworks. Rugby changed era then. We were an insiders' sport, and even if that's still the case, I think that thanks to Max, rugby has moved into another dimension.Once you've made that adjustment, you'll go on to play an impressive series of matches. It sounds crazy, but for example, you played 36 games in 2004/2005...I was young. It's the strength of age. Between the ages of 25 and 30, that's when you play the most, you're the fittest and you don't get too many injuries. And I played with some exceptional players. It's true that 36 games is a bit crazy. But we could handle them. We'd had two decent seasons, but without a title. And when you play for a club like Paris, you always need titles. Because that's the goal of every season. And to validate everything we've been working on for weeks, months and years. In 2006-2007, we really wanted to win a title. We had exceptional players like Domi, Juan-Martin (Hernandez), Agustin Pichot and Sergio Parisse, who was just arriving. We had top-level players, and we were ready for it.The Stade Français quickly became irresistible. What makes this team so strong?We have a lot of mature players, between 25 and 30. There were a few young players like Julien Arias. But a lot of the players had been here for a long time, and we knew each other very well. Fabien had taken over the club a year or two before, so Fabien's touch was starting to show. All the indicators were green for this team.And yet, there was a bit of a blip during the Tournament.Yes, that's true. Even if we were a bit used to seeing all the international players leave. I'm leaving that year too, and then it's the World Cup. We also had a huge squad... We had 35 or 40 top players. If a player got injured, the one who replaced him was sometimes just as good, or even better, depending on the circumstances. It's a bit like Stade Toulousain today. Even without the internationals, things were running smoothly. For example, at one point we had Pablo Lemoine to replace Sylvain Marconnet on the left. That's not too bad (smiles). That was our strength. The end of the season was marked by injuries to two major players: Sylvain Marconnet and Pieter De Villiers. Nani Corleto is also affected. So has Shawn Sowerby. So it's a young right-back who's going to have to hold down the fort for the finals. His name is Pedro Ledesma. It's true that Pedro came from nowhere. Unknown a few months before. But we had more Peter. But he did the job. He was well supported by everyone. It takes a bit of success to be a champion. So good for him, and good for us. The finals begin for you with a ½ final against Biarritz. Were they a scary team ?They'd been French champions the previous year, and had given Stade Toulousain a real thrashing... Biarritz were a big team, with Yachvili, Traille, Brusque and Peyrelongue. They were always special games against Toulouse or Biarritz. Two years earlier, we lost to them in extra time at the Stade de France. I think that night, Yach put in 30 points, while I put in 27 or 28... So yes, they were always special games. In the end, you're going to get rid of the BO. We're off to the Stade de France to take on ASM. Is Clermont the surprise team of the season?We didn't know too much about them yet. But we discovered James, Nalaga, Floch and Cotter. It was a team that was just coming together. It wasn't a surprise that they were in the final, because they'd had a great season. Behind them were Tony Marsh and Julien Malzieu. And up front, Elvis Vermeulen, Privat, Cudmore, they had a great team of tough guys (laughs)! I remember that at half-time, there wasn't a big gap (9-0 in favor of Clermont, editor's note). But I'm thinking “I don't know how we're going to beat this team”. I remember that we were being pummeled. They crossed with Nalaga, with Floch... They had three or four clear-cut chances. At half-time, in the dressing room, we didn't know where to start. Our heads were a bit upside down. And then, Fabien (Galthié) coaches early. Even I go out quickly. Brian Liebenberg comes in at center. Sergio comes in. The match evened out and we got back into the game. And then came that try.Can you tell us about it?Yes, I remember it very well. From a Clermont touchline, we spiked the ball into touch. Brian Liebenberg made a jump pass and we broke through with Julien Arias in midfield. And on the return, Radike Samo scores the try just like in the semi-final. We're two or three minutes from the end. It's strange because Radike Samo had arrived like a star. But he'd been struggling all season. What do you remember about this player?That he was a really nice guy. A bit cool too, not too headstrong. But he was really physical. He was a piece of wood. After that, he was very fragile, always aching in his muscles, his knees, his ankles. But his physique ... he ran fast, he did incredible things for a forward. After that, he went back to Australia and scored a crazy try against the Blacks, breaking through from 60 meters. He was a UFO. But it's true that he'd been a bit stagnant all season, and then he scored twice in 15 days to help us become champions.You have a special bond with Fabien Galthié, as he was your captain before becoming your coach. You knew him as a player before you knew him as a coach. What can you tell us about Fabien Galthié, the Stade Français coach? It's true that he was a very good technician who turned the club around after Nick Mallett's time at the helm. Nick was really the South African school, with a lot of physical preparation and rigor. But it worked, and he went on to become champion twice. So Fabien came up with principles of play that gave the players more freedom. There was a framework, but for each situation, we worked on two or three possibilities. That's when we started to see the tactician. After that... There were always things he had to work on. Managing people was rather complicated. Sometimes things got a bit heated, and there were some temperamental people at Stade Français. But he always knew how to remobilize us and get us back on the right track.To see the best moments of this interview on video, go to the networks! On X (ex-Twitter), Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram ! @legendaryplays_officiel Tu te souviens de cette finale ? 😍🥹 #rugby #sportstiktok ♬ son original - LegendaryPlays
Julien Candelon's story is a strange one. From the Stade Toulousain training center to winning a title in Catalonia, no one could have predicted such a destiny. A player who was too small to play at the highest level, not serious enough to make his mark... but who managed to convince even the coach of the French national team. Julien Candelon agreed to confide in us, between lucidity and humility. A look back at a historic 2008-2009 season and Perpignan's title! The season begins with a legacy. It's been 54 years since Perpignan last won a title. Can you talk about this “curse”? My seniority with the club was one season. What's clear is that the club's objectives were to be one of the potential teams to reach the final phases every year. But I didn't even know that it had been so long since the club had won the title. It wasn't a goal at the start of the season to say “this year we have to be champions”. We had to stay at the highest level and do better than in previous years. But I'd never felt the need to bring back something that hadn't been brought to Perpignan for a very long time. One of this team's strengths is something that happens off the pitch. It's the Catalan identity. Can you catch it? “Yes. Let's just say that when you arrive in Perpignan and you have this identity and these players, you have to get used to the identity and immerse yourself in it. My personal case is a little different, because I've been married to a Catalan woman for over 20 years. So in fact, I'd already been immersed in this culture for years. But it's true that integration into the group is as much down to the terrain as it is to character. It was important, when you weren't Catalan, to show or prove that you deserved to wear the jersey. In the summer, USAP was hit by a thunderbolt: the signing of Dan Carter, rugby's biggest star at the time. When did you realize you'd be playing with him?For me, there are two stages. The first is what happens the season before. Halfway through the season, we were ninth. It was a season that seemed like a nightmare. Then a rebound in the capital enabled the club to finish the season on a high. Against all the odds, we reached the semi-finals, where we lost to Clermont. But it was so unexpected that it's considered a successful season. We're going to finish the season on a high. After that, we're off on vacation. And while I'm on vacation, I open “L'Indépendant” and learn that Dan Carter has signed for Perpignan. And it's not even “going to sign”, because we know what it's like in the villages, the maybe. In this case, it was affirmative. There was no conditional. So the first thing you think of is “maybe I'll get the chance to play with the best player in the world”. After that, everyone feels differently. But for me personally, my career is about an individual who lives in the midst of his passion, in the midst of players he admires and respects. For most of my early career, I played against people I idolized. It was an attitude of support and pride. And a desire to participate in his arrival. When you know that Dan Carter is going to play for L'USAP, everyone steps up their game in terms of preparation and involvement. And we saw that when Dan arrived, there was an increase in power. And we were able to gain a certain confidence. And even when he was injured, that continued. Because we'd all raised our standards. And that showed on the pitch. Another player signed for USAP that year. Maxime Mermoz. A young player who “reeks of rugby” as they say...We already knew that Max was a talented player. He arrived with a lot of humility but also a lot of commitment. He was a man with a vindictive streak, because for him, not having made it big at Toulouse was something that mattered to him. He was a very serious, committed, hard-working player. And yes, he reeked of rugby. He had the support qualities of a handball player, because that was his first sport. He was a complete player. A complete player who also fitted in very well with the profile of the players we had. Whether it was David Marty, the identity carrier, or Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, who had the profile of a midfield striker. And the short association with Dan worked. And on the pitch that year, he was monstrous. Incidentally, I think he scored a crazy goal against Leicester? If I'm not mistaken, that was the day Dan joined the team. He intercepted the ball at the back of the line and scored a try from 90 meters. Today, when you listen to his comments, you can feel the tactical and technical side of him. With an assertive identity and some very talented players, you're having an excellent season. Are you happy with this team?It was difficult for me to integrate at first. I had a hard time finding my place in a new team. That season, we had very healthy competition in the winger's position, because thanks to our results, we were able to rotate players and thus keep the team fresh and competitive. Personally, I liked it because we had a very offensive ¾ line. We had a few butchers in midfield... I'm thinking of Gavin Hume, who was a destroyer, and David Marty, who let me loose some really good balls offensively. And on top of that, an extraordinary, extravagant crowd. It was pulsating. Those memories are still very strong today. As a winger, are you addicted to scoring tries? Yes, that was my leitmotiv. It was about making things happen. It was seeing the smiles on my partners' faces, because I was the last link in the chain to do my job. Because of my profile, I never exploded with joy because I managed to turn a guy around in defense. You can talk to any winger about the desire to get to the end line, and the satisfaction that comes from making something happen for your partners. It's not just happiness, it's something you want to share with others. For me, being the one who makes things happen for others is part of my character: I really enjoy pleasing others. This season is under control. Now the final stages are on the horizon. And above all, the final. Opposite you is Clermont. How are you preparing for this match? The last championship final we played was in 1998 against Stade Français. There weren't many participants in that final who were still at the club. So there was no feeling of revenge. And the last final played by the club was a European Cup final against Stade Toulousain in 2003. From memory, David Marty and Nicolas Mas were part of that adventure. So, at the time, there were a lot of experienced players, but few who carried the weight of the club's history in that respect. So yes, the spirit is liberated. Because when you get to the final, you can't ask yourself any more questions. And once again: all the spotlights were on Clermont. They had lost to Stade Toulousain and Stade Français in the previous finals. And everyone agreed that this was certainly the easiest final for them to play, given the quality of their opponents. Somehow, the pressure didn't get to us. What's more, the staff's decision to isolate us in Matemale meant we weren't caught up in the hype. Particularly when it comes to ticket sales. Because by training in public every day, we knew that we'd be able to appreciate the scale of the event. But when we went up to Cerdagne, apart from the cattle, the locals and a few goats that we roughed up a bit, we were quite isolated from the popular fervor. However, the start of the match in this final was not ideal.I played an important role in the start of the match, because right from the off, we lost a ball, I missed a tackle on Benoit Baby who gave me a cad-deb, and then the classic ruck, ball to Brock James, diagonal kick, Nalaga try. I couldn't have got this final off to a better start (smiles). And it's true that Clermont-Ferrand's confidence should have shifted quite quickly. But we're stuck at half-time, 10-6 up. And apart from that one move, nothing too dangerous was happening. So I helped to liven things up a bit in the first half. How do you find the resources to come back?I know that David Marty, speaking on Philippe Guillard's radio, was very confident when he announced that we would take control of the game. And it's true that when we got back to the dressing room, there was no panic, no feeling that the event was too big for us. And it was just like the rest of the season. There are years when your squad may not be the best in the league. But there was an atmosphere in the group that meant we were very close-knit. There was a lot of collective confidence. So at half-time, there was no panic in the dressing room. Nobody was looking at each other's shoes. There was a lot of determination. And even on a personal level: when you start a final like that, you think “I'm going to ruin the group”. But very quickly I felt that the group would be there for me. And that translated into the second half. It hit hard, but it was controlled and mastered... Incidentally, there's an anecdote about the pre-match... (laughs). We couldn't stop plugging away at the forwards. And on the day of the final, a L'Équipe magazine came out, with the whole Clermont pack in black-and-white photos, they were on Harley-Davidsons, with a “we were too nice, we've become nasty, we've understood” speech. And the ¾, spearheaded by David Marty, he threw the magazine on the table at breakfast, and said to the fat guy, “apparently, you're going to get your ass kicked tonight”. As we had a pack that knew how to be nasty, and that you didn't have to tell too many stories to get a rise, it stung them and helped kick-start the final a bit! The deliverance was a try from David Marty. Can you tell us about it?We were dominating the game, advancing into their camp. We tried to put them at fault, because we knew that Jérôme Porical wasn't shaking in his boots that day. And then it all started with this redouble between David Marty and Jérôme Porical. I said to myself “watch out, you're in for a treat, there's a redoubled”. Well, not served (laughs)! And then finally David Marty passed. I say to myself, “this could be our chance to make up for what happened at the start of the match”. David faked the pass and spiked inside, catching Napoleoni Nalaga off-guard, who was only waiting for me to be served and for him to split me to send me into the G block of the Stade de France stand. It was a great relief. Because the lock is broken. And then we're like crazy. Our batteries are recharged and our confidence soars. And that's when you tell yourself that it can't be taken away. Behind the barbed wire, you're less exposed... You only have to look at David's face when he scores. He's someone who doesn't really express his joy or his sorrow. And here, he expels it all. What image do you retain of this title?Strangely enough, everything that happens after the final whistle goes so fast... you don't realize what you've achieved, what you're sharing with the public. For me, what's most important is the return to Perpignan. The return is a reflection of what we used to be. The club didn't necessarily have the means or the ambition to hire a double-decker bus. So we arrived at Perpignan airport, where we took a closed bus. We set off down the road, exiting the airport under police escort. And on the inspiration of Henri Tuilagi, who opened the bus hatch, we all climbed onto the roof. Then, of course, the bus started moving at 10 or 15 km/h. Because otherwise, at the first skid, we'd all be sliding past the windscreen (laughs)! We were sitting on the edge, with our feet dangling in front of the driver. So from Perpignan airport to the Place du Castillet, that's quite a distance. It took us a little while to get there... And arriving at the Castillet was a real highlight for me. Because it was THE moment of sharing. There were those who had come up to Paris to experience the event with us. And then there were all the others. Family, friends, villages, all the people who made up our daily lives. There were 20, 25,000 people crammed in there for hours. We were supposed to arrive earlier, we arrived later... We arrived a little late, but that's when you connect with the passion, the passion of the people, and you share. If you don't share a track, there's not much left. Now, every time I talk about our arrival at the Castillet, I get emotional. It was exceptional. And that's something you experience once in a lifetime. Or maybe you spend your days at the Stade Toulousain and it happens to you every year (smile). Did the kid from Tournon dream all this up?No. The kid from Tournon didn't dream about all that. He dreamed of rugby. I dreamed of playing first grade in Tournon. But I always thought all that was out of reach. And every time I took a step forward in my life, I was always the atypical one, the one who had to prove himself, a bit too much of a joker, a bit too much of this, a bit too much of that. And each time, I had the curiosity to explore new things. I was telling you earlier. I feel like I've been living a dream, because I've played with or against players I admired. I played against guys I watched as a kid: Bennetton, Benazzi, I was lucky enough to be at Stade Toulousain and to have been in contact with Califano, Delaigue, Desbrosse, Ntamack... So no, it wasn't a dream. But I lived a dream.
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... Il était une fois...Photo de l’équipe du Stade Français Paris devant notre chère Notre-Dame...(saison 2006-2007 où nous sommes Champions de France avec le maillot à fleurs de lys) pic.twitter.com/fUmAvoLBUx— Max Guazzini (@MaxGuazzini) April 17, 2019 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.
He was captain of the Scottish national team (76 caps) and scrum-half at Clermont for 3 seasons. Charismatic, humble and endearing, the Edinburgh striker agreed to share his VI fondest memories with us on the occasion of the launch of our "Internationals" collection. What is your fondest memory as a player? I'd have to say (he hesitates) ... Being captain of the Scottish team, that's my best memory. I don't really have a specific moment, but yes, being captain of Scotland. In France I also have some very good memories. In particular, playing in the Top 14 final. And even though we lost to Toulouse (24-18 in 2019, editor's note), which was very disappointing, it's still a great memory. Just to have had the opportunity to fuel the passion of the Clermont fans was incredible. What was your worst memory on the pitch? That's a very good question. I'm going to talk about Scotland again. Maybe against England in 2013 or something like that (2014). We lost 20-0 at home. It's one of my worst memories in a Scotland shirt. In the Top 14, I'd say it was my debut. Because I arrived in France in the summer after a Lions tour where I'd been injured. So my arrival was perhaps a little difficult. But after that, things fell into place and I loved it. What was the most stressful moment of your career? Oh there have been so many... (laughs). I'd say it's pretty much any game in England, especially when I was captain of Scotland. You have to deal with a lot of expectation and a lot of pressure. Congrats to Greig Laidlaw on one helluva international career. A captain who we’d always be right behind as he believed in us all. Brought the best out of everyone at every opportunity. Enjoy the family time mate. Legend 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/vw8kHEFOb7— Stuart W Hogg (@StuartWHOGG_) December 19, 2019 Who's the best player you've ever played with? I think I'd have to say Clermont. Isaia Toeava, a player from New Zealand. He was incredibly talented, a beast. Typically the player you want in your team but don't want to play against. He had it all: speed, strength, technique, tackling. An incredible player. And the player you feared most on the pitch? I'd have to say Sébastien Chabal. I remember playing against him when I was very young. I was playing for Edinburgh and he was playing for Racing-Métro. And he was such a huge guy. He too had everything: he was wide, fast, explosive and powerful. He's certainly the most intimidating player I've ever played against. Finally, what was your fondest memory of your time in France? I think it was the Challenge Cup final against La Rochelle. Or maybe the Top 14 semi-final against Lyon. We were playing in Bordeaux's football stadium, and it was a way of reminding me just how much our supporters, the Yellow Army, were prepared to do anything for the club. It was incredible. It's a moment I'll never forget.
He didn't really have the physique of a third row, he probably wasn't the most flashy of Toulon's galactic recruits, he didn't have the thickest CV in the RCT, nor the biggest list of honours in the Var dressing room. So yes, on paper, Steffon Armitage wasn't the biggest star in the red and black. But in reality ? He was Toulon's best player at the heart of the Var's best era. A Mayol icon who, to mark the release of the "Internationals" collection, agreed to look back on his best memories: from London Irish to Section Paloise, from England to the harbour via Biarritz. An immense career. And marked by the presence of a brother who is still a role model today. What is your fondest memory of playing on the pitch? There are so many that it's hard sometimes to put a number up front. There's my first match with the England team, with my brother. It was during the Tournament against Italy. It was something really special. Not just for me, but for my family, my friends, everyone. And of course there's Biarritz, the last kick of the match and the penalty shoot-out. That will stay with me for the rest of my life. What's the worst moment you've experienced on the pitch? The worst moment was when Martin Johnson, the England coach, came to see me after the Tournament. He told me "you're not good enough, you need to improve to play for England". I was nominated for best player in the league. I thought that was a bit unfair, because he didn't give me a chance. That was the worst moment, and the moment that actually created me. After that I left England. Because with London Irish, I was starting every game, but I'd given it everything I had. So I decided to leave the club a year before the end of my contract to go to Toulon and get some new competition. Who's the best player you've ever played with? I shouldn't really say, because he's already got a big head, but for me it's my brother, Delon. His character on and off the pitch... He was a guy who gave a lot on the pitch. Not everyone liked that, but that was his character. And it's thanks to him that I've always tried to do my best. So as not to disappoint my brother. His qualities? He could change a match. He was very solid in the air, he was quick off the mark and, above all, he had a great kick. He could kick penalties from over fifty metres. He did everything and was never afraid of anyone. Did he see guys twice his size? No problem: he'd put the ball in the back of the net.#MonSouvenirRCToulon2013 L'essai de Delon Armitage en finale de la #HCup ! #ChampionDEurope pic.twitter.com/TRQr5tGe9q— La #TeamRCT (@team_rct) December 31, 2013 Which opponent did you fear the most?I'd have to say Clermont. We've always had very close matches, very difficult matches. Back then, it was always Clermont-Toulon in the final or semi-final. It was always the match where you thought "now we're going to be sore" (laughs). After that, I wasn't scared of anyone. But when they were all together, from time to time they'd target me. I prepared myself for everyone! Julien Bonnaire, who was an excellent player, Cudmore, Benjamin Kayser, you had all these guys who wanted to rip my head off. And that turned me on. To think that, while you had all the players in our team who had done so much more than me in their careers, they were targeting me... It made me a bit proud (laughs)! Jamie Cudmore est prêt pour la finale Européenne contre Toulon - http://t.co/UYSBX0NSad pic.twitter.com/U7V41SOUqa— blog-rct.com (@Blog_RCT) April 30, 2015 What's the most beautiful stadium you've ever played in? And you're not allowed to answer Mayol?That's unfair ! So the most beautiful stadium... There again I could say Clermont. Michelin, compared to their supporters, was always full, you could only see yellow. It made you want to go. And then after that Twickenham. The home of rugby. What makes you most proud? A lot of people will say that doesn't count, but to have had a 13-year career with my brother. Doing everything with him, from the first championship I won to the last. That's what makes me the proudest. To have had this career with him. At Pau or Biarritz, I missed him. And even if today we live a bit far apart, he's really someone I've appreciated in my career and in my life. Maybe it would have been different in Biarritz with him.But frankly, listen, I can't complain about my career. There are millions of kids who would love to be in my shoes. So I have to be happy that I've had the chance to play for my country and win titles. I'm proud of my career. I could have done more. But I mustn't complain. I have no regrets.
