Sparkling boss of a very pale Racing 92, scrum half Nolann Le Garrec is preparing for a match full of emotion on Saturday for the 5th day of the Top 14 in Vannes, “his favorite club” where he took his first steps and where his father Goulven is an assistant coach.
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Walking on the pitch at the Rabine stadium, in a Top 14 match against Vannes, in front of his family and loved ones, “It’s a bit of a childhood dream and a challenge”admitted N.9 at a press conference on Tuesday. “I left home, I was fourteen years old at the time. Being able to return to my land, in quotes, is an exceptional thing” he pointed out.
A virtual return to the cradle for Nolann le Garrec, who became a professional at Racing 92, but “almost born” at the Vannes Rugby club.
“My dad coached, I was two, three years old” remembers the 22-year-old international (5 caps) with emotion. “I was in the locker room at the edge of the pitch. It was still in Federal 2, to show how far they have come.”
Having reached Pro D2 in 2016, Vannes then snatched his ticket to the Top 14 by beating Grenoble in the final last season. A match that Nolann Le Garrec did not miss, in the stands of the Ernest-Wallon stadium in Toulouse that day to witness this historic rise, the first in the club’s history.
Having become one of the best French scrum-halves, to the point of hoping to play again for the French XV in November, the kid who played ball boy in Vannes has remained very close to his father Goulven, today in charge of “skills ” (gestural skill exercises) from the Breton club, and who did not wish to speak before this family duel.
“It’s special because I talk a lot about rugby with my dad after each match,” testifies the player. The two called each other again on Sunday evening to discuss their meeting the day before, but “we know that this week is a bit special, we also play a bit of it”, he elaborates, ensuring that no phone calls are planned until Saturday.
Attentive supporter of RC Vannes, the detonator of a sluggish Racing 92 and confined to a mediocre 12th place after four days (three defeats, only one victory), knows he is expected on his land.
“They have seen me grow up, so obviously they will know my qualities”, he believes. “But it’s a team I haven’t missed a match for maybe five or six years, so I also know all the players in front well,” he warns.
However, there is no question of letting the emotions overwhelm him, facing a promoted player who has already brought down Lyon in his lair, and who matched Toulon for 60 minutes last week.
“That’s our job today, every weekend, we play against friends, we play against ex-coaches, future coaches, ex-partners,” explains the scrum-half, who cites the example of his partner, English international fly-half Owen Farrell.
“I think that in these matches, we use our emotions to gain a few percent on our performance.”
“He played with and against his dad (Andy, current Ireland coach and former player, editor’s note), a lot of times and at even higher stakes levels,” he remarks.
During the 4th day, he himself found himself facing La Rochelle, whose jersey he will wear next season. Not enough to destabilize the scorer, author of all the points for his team, without being able to prevent the defeat of the Ile-de-France residents (17-16).
“I think that in these matches, we use our emotions to gain a few percent on our performance,” notes Nolann Le Garrec, who warns his relatives and friends: “This week, I won’t be a supporter. I will be a competitor and I can’t wait to show my best face”, he concludes.
