Rugby and the Top 14 are inseparable Canal + which has been broadcasting the French championship for 40 years. Every weekend, Astrid Bard is at the head of the Canal Rugby Clubthe flagship oval ball show. Along with her group of consultants, including Sébastien Chabal and Thierry Dusautoir, she debriefs the matches or presents the evening’s posters.
The journalist, who is starting her second season after taking over from Isabelle Ithurburu, has imposed her style. She is also delighted with the arrival of Vannes among the elite. The RCV should also be rewarded this Monday, September 23, during the “Nuit du rugby” presented from the Olympia by Astrid Bard and her partner Guilhem Garrigues. At the beginning of last week, she gave an interview to West France.
Were you a sports fan before becoming a sports journalist?
When I was little, I did athletics and gymnastics, at a decent level. I did sports for fun. And I already liked watching matches. At journalism school, I took sports journalism courses because I liked it. Then I started Europe 1where I did pure news, but I also followed Roland-Garros as a backup every year because it was the sport I knew best. I had an uncle who was a tennis champion and I went to see him play.
And then in 2008, they sent me to my great pleasure to the Beijing Olympics, it was so beautiful, so powerful that I wanted to work in sport. I took a huge slap.
And when in 2010, Channel called me saying they were looking for a female journalist who liked sports, I was super flattered, super happy. At the same time I was scared because TV is very different from radio, I hesitated for a moment.
So I arrive at Channel and it’s a great opportunity, because it’s a place where you have the means to work well. The greatest luxury is not to feel like you’re working. Typically yesterday’s match (September 15, interview was conducted on the 16th) between Toulouse – La Rochelle (35-27), I would have watched it.
Did you have a favorite team, a sportsperson you were a fan of?
I don’t really have the personality to be a fan. I grew up in Paris, I’m not particularly a supporter of PSG, nor of great champions. Like everyone after the 98 World Cup, we were all super fans of the world champions. When I was little, I was in love with Stefan Edberg. I liked Agassi too, but I don’t have this thing for a particular sportsman. Except maybe my uncle. He was the family hero, because he did the Paris-Dakar on a motorbike. Every year in January, we followed his journey with the map.
“We talk rugby at the table”
Where does your affection for rugby come from?
I didn’t know rugby before, I discovered it while working for Channel. I’m delighted because it’s a great environment in the whole universe of the people who make it up.
When did you join the rugby department?
In 2017, with the Late Rugby Club which was encrypted after the Pro D2 match, it was sharp. But I knew a little before because I presented Saturday Sportwhere there were matches. Having a bit of experience allowed me to be well received. I feel really good whether it’s in the office, but also in…
