For the daily Sud-Ouest Tray Buchanan (1.87 m, 26 years old) looks back on the 2023-24 season for La Rochelle, which won 27 of its 34 matches and thus took first place in Pro B.
“It was a season for the history books, I will never forget it. I will be able to say that I was a champion in my professional career. I know a lot of pros who have played abroad who cannot say as much. I come from a small town in the United States, Rock Island in Illinois, near Chicago, and many people from my hometown cannot say that they have experienced moments like this. The La Rochelle environment is something that will remain engraved in me forever. The bonds I built with guys on the other side of the world, here in France, are bonds to cherish, something major That will definitely have a big impact in my life. I have nothing but love and respect for this community, the players, coach Julien (Cortey), the staff.”
The American full-back was elected Pro B MVP and going up a step his impact is significantly less at Le Mans as his stats attest; his rating fell from 15.6 to 8.4.
“There are ups and downs but that's okay. My role is of course different from the one I had in La Rochelle. I accept it, it's a good experience which will help me improve. When I signed here it was a test for myself, but nothing I'm not ready to experience. You take it as a new challenge I'm just trying to adapt and find my place, in the end. I’m thriving. It’s just about. win matches and do the best possible in this role. I must be able to integrate myself into any facet of the high level.
