the essential
The Saverdunois, who ended his career as a Rugby referee in the Top 14 two years ago, is the game director of the brand new TF1 show. An unforgettable experience.
The secret had been well kept. When, on Friday December 27, Denis Brogniart presented the referee of the brand new TF1 show, Gladiators, Ariège rugby couldn’t believe his eyes. The face of Cédric Marchat appears on the screen. The Saverdunois stands there, whistle in his mouth. As game director of this new cathodic entertainment. Retired from the Top 14 fields for two years, Cédric has not left the world of the oval environment. President of the UNAR (National Union of Rugby Referees), he was placed on leave from the SNCF and is now an employee of the French Rugby Federation where he is responsible for all amateur refereeing. Even he didn’t expect to find himself there, in front of the cameras.
“It happened a bit by chance. The production – ITV Production – wanted a rugby referee. They liked my profile.” When he was on the pitch, the Ariégeois did not have his tongue in his pocket and knew how to be respected. Bingo. “I had a video interview and it worked. » Gladiators is a game already broadcast in the USA (since 1989) and in Great Britain where the candidates, called challengers, must demonstrate agility, speed and endurance to escape the gladiators.
“A completely different universe from that of rugby”
“The production sent me what was being done. I found that it could be a new experience. I said yes because it’s a game. If it had been reality TV, I wouldn’t have been there. didn’t go.” After authorization from the FFR, Cédric found himself at the Cergy ice rink, the Aren’Ice, in the Paris region, for around ten days of filming, in August. Ten intense but very humanly enriching days. “I discovered a world completely different from that of rugby. Recording a TV show is a whole world. And that’s what I wanted to discover. The atmosphere was great. I even met cameramen that I had met at rugby matches, it was really very nice.”
And Cédric is not just there for the image. He has a real impact on the progress of the game. “We are really actors, it’s not fake.” Cédric Marchat loved this new experience. “Without refereeing, I wouldn’t have been able to experience all that.” If there is a second season, he will not hesitate to try the experience again. “Even if it was to cook sausages, of course I would go back (laughs).” From the Top 14 fields to TV sets, there is only one step that Cédric Marchat has taken with enthusiasm and talent.
