The third line of the US Carcassonne for two seasons now (41 matches disputed) after having evolved under the colors of the Racing Club Narbonnais from 2019 to 2023, Valentin SESE (28 years old, 1.95 m, 112 kg) finds the Sports and Friendship Park for a second consecutive national semi-final, this Saturday (7 p.m.).
What personal assessment do you put from your two seasons spent in Carcassonne?
I had signed in Carcassonne to play in Pro D2. Of course I was disappointed with the descent. But the Carcassonne club was as disappointed as I am. I was committed and I decided to respect my commitment. When Narbonne went down, I was still under contract and I stayed too. This is how I work. Otherwise, on the sporting record, we will say that I had a little less playing time, even if I still matched. last year, I played important matches. I still take a fairly positive assessment. I learned a lot too. I played with players who had much more experience than me, totally different routes too. I think of Etienne Herjean, for example who played in Top 14, in Pro D2, Romain Manchia too. I met players like Shaun Adendorff, Carl Fearns, Jordan Pletua… the former locals that everyone knows. And even Raph Carbou.
You are at the end of the contract in Carcassonne. Do you know what your future will be made of?
For the moment, I am not preserved. And I don’t particularly have opportunities. I do not close the door to stop and go on retraining. At 28, and even if it is not old, I experienced a lot in rugby. I loved my career, but I ask myself questions about my future. I just been daddy (a little naé)I may also need a little stability. The only thing that ultimately misses my career, and that would have it would have been beautiful, it’s a title, a shield that I never had. Not even among young people. I was in the final, in the semi-finals, quarter-final, not qualified, I did everything, but not typed with a shield.
I found myself a little by chance.
Is it a lack and a regret ?
Yes, because if I was European champion with the French U18s, it’s not the same. In club, it’s different. These are people you meet on a daily basis, you see them more than your family, so necessarily you create links, you want to do great things with these people. French champion is something really special.
This season has this season not only to play in national with the USC, but also to be one of the coaches of the Racing women’s team. Is it a complicated situation to manage ?
Saturday, I will be completely Carcassonnais and thoroughly with my team. And regardless of the composition, which can happen. It’s different with girls because it’s true that in Narbonne, there is not too much this proximity thing between women and the first team. Suddenly, they are quite detached. They keep up to date my season, they are super benevolent with me. So of course, in the first leg, I took two, three chambrages, but there is never nothing bad. On the other hand, they congratulated me.
How did you come to trainr lIs it women?
In fact, I found myself a little by chance. When the girls came down from elite 2, they were looking for someone to potentially supervise the key. And those who know me know that I like it. Suddenly, and as there are some women who are my friends, they asked me. In the process, I exchanged with Nans Barnils who is the main coach. This is how the adventure started. Since then, I have enjoyed myself. They obtained their qualifying ticket last week for the quarter -finals which will take place Sunday in Vichy against the Racing Club of France. They have the potential to reach the end.
My car has not yet been burned.
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As a player, is it more complicated to play a semi-final against a training that you know well?
It is not more complicated, it is above all that the result is more random because one blow is one, one blow the other. Then, by force, we all know each other very well. It’s hard to surprise yourself. Each team will have to play on their strengths, without asking too many questions.
The victory obtained April 12 Is Narbonne a psychological advantage?
All counters are reset. It is a semi-final, in a still different context. The stadium will be even more full than a month ago, there will be a high-level referee, and in addition to that, there will be in-goal arbitrators …
At the end of the season, the two teams seem to experience an opposite sports trajectory: Narbonne a little in suffering, Carcassonne is gaining momentum. Is this your opinion?
For having been Narbonnais for four seasons, I know that this club and this team are full of resources. Even if they have lost in a row twice at home, I was wary of it like plague. Afterwards, it is sure that on our side, we have garnered confidence, but we are not in excess at all. We do not say that Narbonne has a knee on the ground, we know that they will want to defend their territory, also to give ourselves the right to have a final in front of their audience … All this will come into account, and we do not take them at all light.
As an adversary, is it more complicated to approach and prepare a semi-final against Narbonne in the park, because we live there?
As much last season, I was still quite changed, as much this year not at all. I have been left alone. And my car has not yet been burned (laughs) ! It simply means that now, even supporters are used to this match.
Do you see a favorite in this 100 % Audoise semi-final?
Once you are in the last square, there are only teams of almost equivalent level. Everyone is on an equal footing. Everyone has their chances. And everyone must grasp it. What will tip the scales on one side or the other, it will be the details. The team that will best master them will pass. Because on the desire side, the two teams will have as much. Precision and strategy will also have their importance.
With the possibility of two shields, one as a coach with the women of Racing, another as a player with the USC, 2024-2025 could be an exceptional season for you …
Two shields, it is sure that it would be magnificent. And that’s why I get up in the morning.
