Vincent Farré (34 years old), emblematic player of SU Agen, is playing his eighth and final season with Armandie. Unexpected for the man who almost ended his career last year, hampered by injuries.
Vincent Farré is experiencing a second youth on the Pro D2 fields this year. The 34-year-old has already participated in eight matches and is full of energy. “JI feel very good. I went through a complicated period during which I wanted to stop. I told myself at that moment that I had a family and that there was more to life than just rugby. But I felt that I could come back and Sébastien Calvet’s speech reinforced my choice.”confides the suavistic warrior.
His manager recounts the meeting that changed everything: “I told him that we were going to do our best to keep him physically well, I told him clearly “Vincent, we need you”. We knew that it was in his interest and in ours for him to have a good start to the season to reassure himself and reassure everyone. He is someone who brings a lot of confidence to the players and who is a relay for the staff. He means a lot to us.”
A reconversion to the second line
It’s a new Vincent Farré who is reborn on the pitch. To a new position. “I almost regret not having switched to number 4 sooner. There are more fights and static phases. This suits me more.”he confirms. Calvet agrees: “We decided to reposition him so that he no longer puts himself in a situation where he has to do high-intensity races like he did on the third row. Also, we said that in the second line, risky situations are limited. Except that we know very well that with Vincent, because of his commitment, these limits very quickly no longer exist.”
Farré has a blast. Even more so since he no longer has to manage the captaincy. “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to be captain of the AUS. But it takes a mental load off my shoulders today. I become again the simple soldier that I have long loved to be. Other players carry the captaincy very well, like Julien Lebian.”he assures.
Repetitive concussions as well as a ruptured ankle tendon almost ended his career. Today, Vincent Farré takes revenge on life. And he doesn’t just do it half-heartedly. “I’m a competitor. I have a lot of desire and determination. I’m not the type to save myself and I want to play every match.”
His last season?
Like Lionel Mazars, Adri Badenhorst, Jean Monribot and others in the rather recent past, Vincent Farré will leave the image of an exemplary captain. His new manager pays tribute to him in this sense: “He is a very reliable rugby player. On and off the field, he is ultra-exemplary. To the group, he brings joy, dynamism… I am happy for him because he means a lot. We are at the start of a project and if this project goes where we want to take it, we will have to remember that Vincent was there at the start and that he meant a lot.”
The person concerned wants to end with a bang. “We have lively coaches who are very fair in their interventions. Regarding the group, I feel the guys are motivated around a motivating project. For my part, every time I play somewhere, I tell myself that it’s the last time. So I’m taking full advantage. And I hope that in the end, we’ll find something good.”
Between the lines, Vincent Farré makes it clear that he will end his career at the end of the season. But does he really want it? He laughs, and responds honestly: “It’s certain that when we see the dynamic and the project that is put in place, it makes me want to continue. Afterwards, I made my decision, I thought about it a lot. Now, you should never say Never…”
A door that he leaves ajar. Will managers and staff decide to make the fun last? A 100% Vincent Farré can still provide proud service. The proof this season, in the cage.
