Thomas Clavières, manager of Corbières XV, evolved at the rear position in Racing in the 80s and 90s, then successfully led the US Carcassonne from 2007 to 2011, obtaining two titles and the accession to Pro D2. Today, his son Clément playing in Racing, his heart naturally leans in favor of Narbonne. Interview a few days from the semi-final between the RCN and the USC at the Sports Park (May 10 at 7 p.m.).
Particular. Inevitably particular. Thomas Clavières, the former Racing Club Narbonnais from 1985 in the Mitan of the 90s, who played alongside Bertrand, Bourguignon and Sanz, and who led, with Christian Labit, the US Carcassonne, actively participating in the meteoric ascent of yellow and black until pro D2 in 2010, is about to live a very special moment.
Especially since his son, current Racing winger, Clément Clavières, who evolved under the colors of Carcassonne in Pro D2 in 2022-2023, will be one of the actors of this new derby … A context that makes Thomas Clavières, a central witness to this national shock, this new semi-final between the two neighbors Audois, the two enemy brothers.
“Racing is my club of heart. I have excellent memories. We win three of the mansion, we are arguing two semi-finals of the French championship … At the time, it was different, in Narbonne, there were only young people. Ultimately, the two foreigners, it was Gilles Bourguignon and I who landed from Paris. We all stayed friends”, Smiles Thomas Clavières who nevertheless keeps in memory of wonderful moments of his epic at US Carcassonne.
“It was an exceptional adventure. Four incredible years from 2007 to 2011 … with two French champion titles of Federal 2 and Federal 1 in 2008 and 2010, until the accession to Pro D2 that same year. To say that we started from the Federal 3 in 2007 …”, Remember Thomas Clavières.
In Carcassonne, we were scheduled to win.
“We can always say to ourselves that we were lucky, but with Christian Labit, we had set up a real game project. We managed to have players of great experience, which allowed us to apply our ideas. We had a leitmotif: the win. Always the win. It is perhaps a little presumptuous to say it like that, but we were programmed to win”, Details with greedy the former international juniors and a ‘, which also carried the colors of Viry-Châtillon (91) and PUC (Paris University Club).
When we speak today with USC supporters, opinions are unanimous: “The great success of Thomas Clavières and Christian Labit at the time is to have been able to hoist players of federal 3 to Pro D2.“What does the interested party think? “Yes, we had quality elements, to whom we had not necessarily given their chances so far. And then, we have benefited from good recruits.”
For a dad, it’s great.
On Saturday, the current manager of Corbières XV, in Federal 3, will naturally attend this semi-final at the Sports Park. And his heart will obviously lean for Narbonne: “My story and especially the fact that Clément, my son, plays in Narbonne, make the difference. For a dad, it’s great to see his boy evolve for a club in which he also played. I am proud of him.“
His prognosis: a victory of Narbonne on a tight score. “Racing has a good season and has reached its goal with this place in the first two. It is a success. Now, you have to go to the end and get in Pro D2. What I am sure is that salvation for the RCN will go through the game. Structurally, Narbonne has no place in Top 14, but in Pro D2, yes, it can do it.”
His gaze on Clément’s season? “His season is good. He has progressed in the defensive sector and keeps speed, supports, talent.” A talent on which Racing can count in this decisive May.
