It’s now official: Laurent Travers will leave Racing 92 at the end of the season to join theRowing Bayonnais (South West). After denials in the media, confirmations are multiplying. Travers, who has marked the recent history of the Ile-de-France club, will occupy the role of director of rugby for Bayonne from next season.
Tense farewells with Jacky Lorenzetti
The departure of Travers does not go unnoticed by Racing. Jacky Lorenzetti, chairman of the supervisory board, did not hide his disappointment when he heard the news.
Travers, after having been coach, director of rugby then president of the board, was a strong man at the club. But his desire to get closer to the field seems to have weighed in the balance. This choice, which sounds like a return to his first love, took Lorenzetti by surprise.
Bayonne aims higher
For Bayonne, this recruitment is a masterstroke. After having been frustrated on several recruitment files in recent months, the managers see in Travers a name capable of giving even more weight to their project. According to some sources, he could even arrive with a financial partner. Enough to lay the foundations to take a step forward in the years to come.
Cohabitation to manage with Grégory Patat
This change will not be without challenges for the Bayonne staff. Grégory Patat, the current manager, did not necessarily welcome the news with enthusiasm, especially since he learned of Travers’ arrival through the media. The question will now be to clearly define the roles of each person to avoid friction and allow the club to progress peacefully.
The arrival of Laurent Travers in Bayonne promises to bring real added value, both on the pitch and behind the scenes. A new page is opening for him as for Aviron Bayonnais, with high expectations for next season.
I grew up in a family where rugby was at all times. I was at the edge of the pitch when Castres beat Pau and joined the elite, I was in the Stade Pierre Antoine facing Gary Whetton when he did his Haka to celebrate the 1993 Brennus and I was always rocked legends of this sport. Now, it is with XV Ovalie that I intend to extend the adventure. #TeamCO
