“It must be said that 40 players arriving in a hospital, you hear them arriving…”

See my news
Follow Rugby News

Dislocation of the left shoulder in mid-January, fracture of the tibia on September 21… We're not going to lie, the year 2024 was dark for Pierre Bourgarit. The international hooker from La Rochelle (27 years old; 14 caps) is however not the type to brood: to move forward, he keeps his head high. For now, everything is going well for him, and he is on schedule for his rehabilitation. NearAt the time of RugbyPierre Bourgarit also spoke about the date of his return, the role he keeps with his teammates, or the latter's arrival at the hospital shortly after his operation.

Actu : Pierre, what's your news after this left tibia fracture?

Pierre Bourgarit: They're pretty good. This has evolved well. It took me a little while to get off crutches completely because I had pain when I walked for a long time. I started again, and the more I do the better. I feel good. I'm not running yet, but I hope to for the Christmas period.

Pierre Bourgarit's operation

Did you have any adverse effects following the operation, which took place in the hours following the injury at La Rochelle-Pau?

P.B : It's true, I had surgery straight away. There were no complications, the healing was perfect. I quickly regained knee-ankle mobility. The consolidation is also going very well. Frankly, everyone is happy, both the medical profession and me. If I walk quickly, I have pain at the end of the step. We had established a resumption of racing 3 months after the operation (which took place on September 21, Editor's note): we are not bad in terms of calendar. There are just the crutches that I thought I would leave early.

Why the delay at this level?

P.B : In my head, I told myself that I would be able to walk normally after 6 weeks. I got out without being immobilized, I put my foot on the ground quite quickly. It was even impressive at first. I told myself that if I was careful, in 6 weeks it would be resolved and no more crutches. But it took longer, that's how it is.

His return to competition

The first diagnosis announced an absence of 4 to 6 months. What is the trend now: closer to 4 months or rather 6 months?

P.B : We won't be for 4 months, that's for sure. But we won't go until 6 months either. Without getting too far ahead, it will be more like 4 and a half/5 months. A possible return will be mid-February I think, after the break (match on January 25, then 2 weeks without Top 14, Editor's note). Well, I had already gone too far when I injured my shoulder, and it didn't work out for me (injured in January, he didn't end up playing again before the end of last season, editor's note). In any case, for the moment, it's positive. It's a good thing for me.

Does a return in mid-February give you any hope of participating at the end of the 2025 6 Nations Tournament?

P.B : We'll see… But that would really only be at the end of the competition and I don't wish any injuries to the others, knowing that I won't be in the inaugural list. For the moment, I tell myself that I will not participate in the competition, and I will concentrate on a return with my club, since casually, it has been a while since I last played. And then, there is a summer tour in New Zealand: that can be aimed for…

They are moral

That everything goes well in terms of recovery, we suspect that this must be good for morale, especially after this dark year 2024 for you…

P.B : Of course, at the time, it pissed me off, from the moment I was on the field until the operating room: I suffered a bit. But I was quickly reassured during the X-ray: I was told that the knee was not affected, no nerve or ligament affected, that only the bone was broken. They told me: “we would like to see injuries like that more often”. However, I quickly understood that the convalescence would be long, and that frustrated me because I think that I had come back well, I felt really good on the field. Everything was going well, so the relapse caused a morale blow. Obviously, you are apprehensive at the beginning, but then everything goes well and obviously it is positive for morale.

This diagnosis therefore allowed you to quickly put things into perspective and not think too much…

P.B : Clearly! I played it down. If it had been a cruciate ligament, it would have been another hassle for example. It takes longer, and some people have after-effects. Afterwards, I am quite positive by nature, I don't like dwelling on the past. We just have to keep moving forward, that's all. I come to the club with a smile, I don't want to show the whole team a guy who comes with a floury face.

At the time, didn't you tell yourself that you were cursed for this year 2024?

P.B : At the moment, not much we're going to say. I heard the sound of the bone breaking, so I knew right away that there was a fracture. I'm disappointed because I was coming off another injury, which bothered me for 6 months. There, I was getting better and better and this happened. But I told myself there was no point in being negative.

Do you confirm this sentence that we hear more and more: to be able to regenerate due to the infernal pace, a rugby player needs to be seriously injured?

P.B : The seasons and calendars are becoming more and more intense, it's true. But here in La Rochelle, and to discuss it with others who play elsewhere, each staff does what is necessary to give us rest and prevent us from playing too many matches. They're not crazy (laughs). Here, if they see that we are cooked, they do not hesitate to blow us away. Afterwards, I admit that when you are injured for a long time, you have time to regenerate.

Finally, you are the same ones who are particularly exposed when the big meetings are there, and La Rochelle has been doing them for years…

P.B : Yeah, but these big matches, we all want to play them. You quickly forget fatigue in these cases. This is why here, the strong players in the locker room are particularly managed at the start of the season so that they are available and fresh if possible at the end of the season.

The arrival of teammates at the hospital

You were surprised to see the whole team come to the hospital after your operation. Proof of a united group?

P.B : I was happy, it was super nice of them. Well, a nurse had told me a little. Three of them came into the room to take a photo with me, and one of them said to me “the team will come by”. When she told me the team, I thought of the nursing staff. I replied that it didn't bother me. And then she replies: “but no, your team”. She realized what she was doing because she saw that I didn't know about it. And when they showed up, I pretended to be surprised (laughing). It must be said that 40 players who arrive in a hospital, you hear them arriving. It was cool of them, they brought me lots of things that were good for the head, less so for the body. This really touched me. This shows that this group is united, and that I am somewhat appreciated by my partners.

When we experience a serious injury, our priority is to treat ourselves. But what attitude do we adopt towards the group? What do we do on a daily basis?

P.B : Everyone is different. Some need to take a break from the group, to leave for a whole month. I like to stay in contact with the group and participate in meetings. Obviously, it's always difficult to give your opinion when you're far from the field because you feel less legitimate. I don't talk all the time either, I just bring my experience or my opinion when I think it's good. I want to enjoy with this team, in good times and bad.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.