While SU Agen travels to Biarritz this Friday evening (9 p.m.), the three Basques in the squad, Iban Etcheverry, Arnaud Duputs and Peyo Muscarditz, are preparing to play a match rich in emotion. Former supporters of the BO, they do not travel just anywhere.
His great friend, Peyo Muscarditz, was also marked by this golden generation: “I loved Biarritz. I was a fan of Imanol Harinordoquy, Dimitri Yachvili and Damien Traille. These are the guys who made me start playing rugby when I was in middle school. I went to Aguiléra with my uncles to see them play. I remember their epics in the European Cup in particular. I didn’t have Canal, so when I could see them on France 2, it was great.
For Iban Etcheverry, it’s even more special. It all started for him on this lawn. “I have great memories with my training club US Mouguerre. I had a good tournament in Aguiléra which then allowed me to be spotted and go to Aviron bayonnais. So, it “It’s a stadium that means a lot to me. When I was little and I started, it was the great Olympic Biarritz who played there.”
The three men smile when talking about their favorite Basque Country and meeting their loved ones. “The preparation for this match is not special. On the other hand, the moment necessarily will be. There will be family and friends”admits Arnaud, followed by Iban: “For now, it’s a match that means a lot to me. A match that I’m looking forward to during the season. There’s a lot of excitement to go and play in front of my loved ones and my family who aren’t traveling often in Agen.” Two years ago, the latter had also flown through the debates in Aguiléra, scoring a try and making a decisive pass during the Agen victory (15-18). A meeting he will probably never forget.
The coinche, the pala and the chambering with Pourteau
The three adopted Agenais are very often together. The first to join Lot-et-Garonne were Iban Etcheverry and Arnaud Duputs. Like a heartbreak at the time for the latter: “It was hard because we had a lot of friends from the junior team who were still there. Despite the decline, we had a great year. I had only known Bayonne among the professionals. I am happy with the choice because I managed to come and get some playing time. Coming to Agen was a good thing even if Bayonne will always remain special.”
Recently, the exemplary captain of the SUA saw one of his best friends, Peyo Muscarditz, move to the 47. “We were very happy”confirms Duputs. “We have shared so many things together on and off the field… We are close friends in life so it is always nice to have a familiar face here. And then on the field, it is close to our hearts to fight together.”
Fighting precisely is also the watchword for the second center of the Bleu & Blanc. “I know Arnaud very well. Well enough to know that we share the same values. We are not the most talented players but we like to fight and make things difficult for opponents. Above all, we like to give to the team. That’s why we appreciate each other on and off the field.”
The triplet doesn’t just share rugby in common. On the contrary. “They also like to lose at coinche“, smiles Etcheverry, a bit quiet, one of the “social leaders” of this suavistic group. He continues: “We share good times. We often eat together or go for coffee. Obviously our roots play a role.” Muscarditz, for his part, will perhaps regret no longer being able to play at the pala in Lot-et-Garonne. But the three men flourish on the Armandie side. They are not the only ones.
This summer, they were joined by a neighbor from Béarn. Franck Pourteau. “He comes from 64, like us. It’s special. And then we played against each other or together sometimes among the young people”remembers Peyo. Despite the fact that all these beautiful people like each other, “we send him a few pieces from time to time”they confide. History of maintaining this Basque pride, even several hours away from home. A pride which will still be at stake, Friday evening, in an enclosure which is precious to them.
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