“He is the true musketeer of the modern era”: legendary rugby player, Jacques Fouroux will have his statue in the historic heart of Auch

After captain-lieutenant d'Artagnan (around 1613-1673), the intendant of Etigny (1719-1767) and general Spain (1769-1809), soon a statue bearing the effigy of the “Little Corporal” in Auch ? In any case, this is the wish of the creators of the “Gascons of Honor” endowment fund.

This Wednesday, in the premises of the Compagnie des Mousquetaires d'Armagnac, some well-known figures from the Auscitain associative and economic community gathered around former players who played alongside the fiery Gascon scrum half or evolved under his orders in the jersey of the XV of France. Jacques Brunel, Philippe Dintrans, Pierre Berbizier, Michel Cremaschi, Jean-Pierre Garuet… Nineteen years after his sudden death, all remain faithful to the memory of Jacques Fouroux.

“It’s an opportunity to highlight the qualities of a man on the field but also outside, who had an aura in France but also internationally,” summarizes Pierre Berbizier, co-president of the endowment fund. Our generation of players has really benefited from his skills and leadership qualities to climb the highest peaks. It's normal to be here in Auch.”

A life-size statue in the upper town

After a stadium in his name, the objective is now to create a bronze statue on a scale of 1: i.e. 1.63 meters, the height of the most famous Gascon rugby player (i.e. 5 cm less than the emperor who lent his nickname…). The opportunity to cultivate “a positive image for an important territory for French rugby”, says the former captain and then coach of the Blues. The Gers in the foreground yesterday with Jacques Fouroux and today with Grégory Alldritt, Anthony Jelonch and Paulin Riva, who could also be associated with the initiative a little later in the year (and depending on their availability).

For the creation of the work, several contacts were made with sculptors established in the region and outside. “But for the moment, we are still in the process of thinking, setting up teams and recruiting sponsors,” explains Jean-Jacques Sarlat, co-president of the “Gascons of Honor” association.

The final cost would be in the range of 150,000 to 200,000 euros. The town hall and the Department were informed of the project which they welcomed with enthusiasm. It will still be necessary to obtain the approval of Bâtiments de France regarding the final location because the aim is to anchor the monument in the historic heart of Auch.

“It is part of the Auscitain, Gersois and national heritage but I will let decision-makers and local supporters choose the best place to highlight it,” concludes Pierre Berbizier, who came as a neighbor from the Upper Pyrenees. Here (at the monumental staircase, Editor’s note) , there is already the statue of d'Artagnan But Jacques also left his mark on his era: he is the true musketeer of the modern era.