He was born in Auray and lived in Vannes, in Morbihan. She is from Redon, straddling the Vilaine. Frédéric and Jésabel Castel, rugby fans based in Ancenis (Loire-Atlantique), have never seen a match at La Rabine. “We were already following Vannes in Pro D2 and we were in Toulouse for the final in June, but the regular season is played during the week (Thursday and Friday), and it is impossible to have places this season in Top 14 ! “. Above all, their priority is, and has always been, ASM Clermont Auvergne. “I love this sport and it was the best team, with the best audience, when I started supporting it in the 2000s,” explains Frédéric, aged 51. Like his wife Jésabel, who was quick to take up her wheel: “I love the game as much as the atmosphere in the stadiums and with the supporters of the other teams, which has nothing to do with football”.
Two flags, one passion
The couple travels to Clermont or elsewhere once or twice a month to encourage their team. In December, he was in Dublin for the European Cup match against Leinster, then in La Rochelle, before spending the “Boxing Day” period in Auvergne, to attend the match against Montpellier and training sessions open to the public. “This represents a big leisure budget, between travel, places and accommodation,” do not hide Jésabel and Frédéric, who invested in a converted truck and made friends with Brice, their designated landlord in Clermont.
“A very beautiful city and a magnificent region. The Auvergne people are very warm once the ice is broken, a bit like the Bretons. And they cultivate this rugby spirit, with all the history around the Michelin company.” The couple quickly joined the Arvernes de Lutèce, an association of Clermontois supporters based, as its name suggests, in Paris. “This allows us to have seats more easily in stadiums where it is difficult to obtain them.” Like at La Rabine, where the Castels will experience their first match on Sunday, in the Clermont supporters’ stand. “With two flags: that of the ASM and that of Brittany! “.
Senegal
