IAs luck would have it, Aire-sur-l’Adour is equidistant from Toulouse and Bordeaux, who are competing for the Brennus Shield this Friday. However, almost 600 km away, in the bustling Marseille Vélodrome, Aturian hearts will all lean in the same direction. In the Chaloisse city, everyone dreams of seeing the local child lift the famous piece of wood. Because Romain Buros, the Bordeaux-Béglais fullback, is the pride of an entire region.
Two decades after his debut at Avenir Aturin, no one is surprised by the trajectory of the former three-quarter player from Pau (2013-2018), who will celebrate his 27th birthday on July 31. Especially not his junior and junior coaches, Alain Larrieu and Jean-Michel Labrouche. The duo did not take long to detect the qualities of the young Romain, 15 years old and “really above the others”, according to the first: “Despite everything, he remained very involved in the collective. He was very discreet, but always listening, taking in advice. And family was very important to him. »
“We were pulling our punches”
His father Pascal, then manager at the club, closely followed the promising performances of his offspring. While keeping your distance. “He took care of his work, he left us alone,” smiles Jean-Michel Labrouche. Physically, Romain was already well trained for his age, he already showed superior abilities to the others. He’s a good guy, reserved, but with a culture of winning. His character comes from his education. »
Fabien Cottereau/SO
This season, the Aturin full-back has played 28 of UBB’s 34 matches, including Top 14 and Champions Cup (26 starts, 10 tries).
Supported by a family environment conducive to his development, Romain Buros wasted no time in making a name for himself on the rugby fields, alongside his great friend Mathias Colombet, the other nugget of the “golden generation” of the juniors of the Future. A three-quarter Aturin, from the 97 generation and trained in Pau, like him. “Our paths are completely linked,” laughs the ex-Section winger now in Aix. We even did athletics together, we pulled each other out during cross country races. On the slightly shorter distances, he was in front of me, but as soon as it was longer, I burned him at the end (smile). In cadets, he ran at 2,000 per hour. When we put him in 10, he went around the 10, 12 and 13, made an “S”, went around the back and was going to score… It was excessive! »
And the French team?
Romain Buros has retained – and improved – his famous qualities of explosiveness. But since his arrival on the banks of the Garonne in 2018, his progress in the game has been considerable. Today, they are one of the best 15 in the championship. “He is starting to have some skill, to have confidence in himself,” says Mathias Colombet, who became a French sevens international in 2020. Kicking is now one of his qualities. On high balls, as a youngster, I played at the back because he was a little less good. And now it’s all-risk insurance! »
“The national team? I think there would have to be a change of coach for him to come back.”
Not yet enough to secure the backs of the XV of France, according to Fabien Galthié. If he has been called up with the Blues several times between 2021 and 2023, Aturin is still looking for a first international cap. In Chalosse, it is considered that the anomaly must be repaired. “It’s the only one of three-quarters of the UBB that is not international,” recalls another of his friends, the Aturin pillar Jean Laplace. “I think we would need a change of coach so that he can come back,” judges Jean-Michel Labrouche, perplexed.
“On paper, he has more than the level,” argues Mathias Colombet. We discuss it, but he’s not a hater, he tells himself that’s how it is, he continues to work. And then, he is in the final with the UBB, it would be a great revenge if he were champion of France! » A Brennus who gives ambitions to Buros and who makes Aire-sur-l’Adour dream. Where the latter plans to get married this summer, at home, in the presence of his loved ones. And the Shield? “That would be magnificent,” laughs Colombet. The Aturins would also feel like they are on the roof of France.
The Landais of Toulouse and UBB
In addition to Romain Buros, starting at No. 15 with UBB this Friday, several Landais can be crowned champions of France this Friday. Four in the Bordeaux-Béglais ranks: three-quarter Pablo Uberti (26 years old), originally from Capbreton and on the bench; former Mons hooker Romain Latterrade (28 years old), native of Saint-Justin; the second line from Dacquois Cyril Cazeaux (29 years old, starting at No. 4); and scrum half Yann Lesgourgues (33 years old), trained in Ondres.
Toulouse, for its part, has three Landais in its squad, pending the definitive arrival of Montois flanker Léo Banos (21 years old): third row Alexandre Roumat (26 years old, starting at No. 8), son of Montois Olivier and which began in Hossegor; three-quarter Lucas Tauzin (26 years old), originally from Saint-Sever; and the hooker Guillaume Cramont (23 years old), trained at US Dax.
