Notebook: André Piquemal, former fast winger of RC Narbonnais, has left us

Very soon dismissed from the RCN, André Piquemal rose through the ranks to naturally find himself in the first team at the age of 19 at the end of the 1960s. He played on the wing of the Narbonne cavalry and was paired with Daniel Dumas but could as easily be three-quarter center. Racing then included big names in French Rugby, such as the Spanghero brothers, Roc, Benesis, Maso, Sutra, Viard, Barthez.

A fast and stylish winger, “Picou” was a formidable finisher and try scorer. His tackles were also devastating. After having brought joy to US Ussel in Corrèze in the 2nd and 3rd division, he returned to his enemy brother, AS Béziers, coached by Raoul Barrière, to finally return to his home Racing, at the beginning of the 80s. Winner on Du Manoir with the ASB, he was French champion with the BA 944 team from Narbonne and the SNCF Mediterranean region team the same year in 1970.

Note that he was selected with the French youth team in 1974 against Poland, in Gdanks. André was a jovial and endearing boy.

André Piquemal was the first cousin of Jean-Luc and Serge who also played at Racing Club Narbonnais.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Christiane, his children and his loved ones.