the essential
From the Valencian Future to the Toulouse Stadium, the beautiful trajectory of a young rugby player.
Sunday evening, when the victory of the Stade Toulouse hopefuls in the final of the French championship was announced, many Valenciens wanted to congratulate Célian Pouzelgues on his title of champion of France.
Not so long ago, he wore the Valencian Future jersey. After starting at a young age in Moissac and passing through Agen, he wore the sky and white jersey in the second year of cadets, then in juniors for three years.
With his tall and slender build, he rediscovered the taste for rugby that he had somewhat lost and he demonstrated his great qualities, particularly speed, which make the good rugby players of today.
Noticed by the recruiting sergeant from Toulouse
During the 2021-22 season, while he was a third-year junior, he operated on the pennant team. And who, in the club’s entourage, has forgotten this regrettable episode which took place during a trip to Céret, for their first match with the big boys, for reasons of age? When he had just turned 18, he continued to dazzle the Valencian supporters with his class, so much so that, during a match against Mazamet, he was noticed by a Toulouse recruiting sergeant, who did not was able to see him play for a long time: after five minutes, he had reviewed the Tarn defense, and while scoring the first try, he dislocated his shoulder. A painful episode and a page turning.
Champion a second time
During the 2022-23 season, he joined the group of “red and black” hopefuls under dual license (Avenir Valencian and Stade Toulouse). Champion of France during this season, he was champion a second time that year, in Graulhet, against Castres. Showing his potential and skills, he scored the first try of the final. With his performances, he deserved his place in the professional team, and he had the opportunity to appear on the match sheet for the first time during the sixteenth day of the championship, against Clermont: he entered on the field in the final minutes of the match.
To this day, he continues to progress and assert himself, and physically, at 1.90 m and 93 kilos, he has what it takes. The Valencians do not forget him, but he does not forget them either. He was seen at the municipal stadium during the Jean-Baylet challenge, where he was able to meet his friends and former educators.
What can we wish for him, except to join the great Stade Toulouse team and honor the “sky and white” jersey which was his springboard!
