It's a story that makes you smile. This December 20, newly retired Sacha Valleau spoke about his past career. Among others, the Toulouse player played no less than 177 matches with France 7 between 2015 and 2021 before heading to RC Vannes in 2021.
Pour Rugby Ramahe spoke about the reluctance of some when he joined the French rugby sevens team at only 18 years old. “Frankly, I tell myself that I was really right to listen to myself. And, in truth, the career I've had, I'm super proud of it”, says the former Rio Olympian in 2016.
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Dupont skeptical about France 7
However, among those who questioned the idea of making this career choice, a well-known player would have expressed his incomprehension: Antoine Dupont. Indeed, the best rugby sevens player of 2024 and Olympic champion was not confident about the choice made by his friend.
“In another context, I remember that, when I left Pôle France, when I played at Stade Toulousain, and when I decided to join the French team at the age of 7 to 18, even he told me: “ But why are you doing this? »”, confides Sacha Valleau who had rubbed shoulders with the captain of the XV of France in the youth categories.
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In addition, he confides that he had a career particularly rich in events and interesting confrontations during his six years spent with France 7:
In the end, I traveled all over the world, played against the best players in the world. Sonny Bill Williams, Quade Cooper, the Ioane brothers… I made the Olympic Games and I played in a World Cup in San Francisco in front of 75,000 people. I was also able to challenge Bryan Habana in Cape Town, in front of 65,000 people. I also remember a semi-final with Virimi Vakatawa against François Hougard, Cheslin Kolbe…”
Eventually, Antoine Dupont will follow the path taken by his former teammate almost ten years laterbut for only a few tournaments. Furthermore, the former Castres Olympique player should not regret his choice either given the numerous titles he won during his matches with France 7.
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Today, however, Sacha Valleau was unable to undertake a long-term adventure in rugby union. Victim of major back problems, the former RC Vannes is no longer able to practice contact sports. At only 28 years old, he had to leave the field for good. After living so many dreams, let's hope that his new life proves just as exciting!
End of career at just 28 years old for this former 7s international and Stade Toulousain player
