“Without the United States, I would have ended my career”, former MHR and Usap player Kélian Galletier signs with New Orleans

You are going to sign in the United States, how did this project come about?

Two years ago, I went to see the United States a little bit, because I was coming out of my difficult year with concussions and I felt that in Montpellier, I had covered the issue. I had the opportunity to sign with USAP. But I had kept in touch, which I restarted in March, when my contract ended with Perpignan. We talked with my partner, and the few touches I had in France didn’t make me want it. At 32, when you take on projects in Pro D2, particularly club building, to try to get back up, it takes 2 or 3 seasons, so I didn’t plan on that. And I always had this desire to go elsewhere, to evolve or even live abroad, which I had not had the opportunity to do in my life. It was quite complex, because we are not on the same timings, the same championship rhythms. They needed time to finish the season, and to know what needs they had. It was through the Nîmes Thierry Daupin, who is one of the investors in New Orleans, and one of the founders of the American League (Major League Rugby, MLR) that the opportunity was created and materialized. .

Have you considered ending your career?

Yes. Honestly, I wouldn’t have had the United States, I would have stopped. I quickly realized that it was over in France.

Also read:
The story of a man from Nîmes who participated in the creation of rugby union in the United States

The French have a place there

You are therefore signing up with the New Orleans Gold for the season which will begin next January. How was this decided?

I had several touches, a lot of exchanges. It is Nicolas Gaudignon (former coach of Brive and Pau in particular) who is sports director there, who leads the project and who had an interest in me, particularly for my experience. This MLR is getting stronger from year to year, it still really has very good potential. They also have the objective of organizing the World Cup in 2031, to structure the entire country in relation to its rugby culture. Personally, it’s interesting to see, in terms of enrichment, to see how they work. This League is a bit like this country, that is to say it welcomes many nationalities, there are many New Zealanders, there are South Africans, particularly in Houston, in Miami, it’s the Argentinians, it’s very heterogeneous. Whether it’s Thierry or Nico, they tell me that France should take its place in this League, and the French too. It’s true that it’s a great opportunity for me to work on this, and I’m convinced that we shouldn’t hesitate, that the French also have a place there.

What do you expect in terms of rugby already, and then in terms of life?

In terms of rugby, I followed last season, because there is an application called Rugby Network, where all the matches are live and even in replay, and for free. It allowed me to watch. The League already has a good level. There are differences in level, between players and between teams, but it’s really a League in development, but which already has Top 14 level players. It goes from Top 14 to National in fact, so there too it’s is very wide. It’s multicultural, there are many nationalities, very good New Zealand players in particular, who play in New Zealand in the fall, they come to play in the United States in the spring. It raises the level of the championship.

I’m in the best shape of my career

Since the end of the season with Usap, what have you done? Did you talk?

I took advantage of these 6 months to do lots of things that I had not been able to do before and to improve my development, thanks to my physical trainer, Michel Pradet. We worked together my entire career. We gave ourselves 6 months to develop my weak points, and I think I’m in the best shape of my career. I can devote myself to physical fitness today, because I have 15 years of rugby behind me, and I know that I will quickly find it again. The most important thing for me are these points. And I also allow myself a few things, I joined a handball team near my home to maintain a little agility, a little teamwork and I even did a triathlon.

I try to do things differently, and I see that it suits me well too. Obviously, we will have preparation when we attack on January 6, and that will allow me very quickly to try to rework rugby. The level is still good and it’s my reputation, I’m an international player there, so I want to arrive there ready.

It is also a new life experience for you.

With my partner, we are very interested in discovering this country, this city too, which has a very strong history, and living there. It’s so enriching to open up like that. It’s great, we’re both really into it, and we plan to try to make the most of it.

How long are you committed for?

The season is January-June, and everything happens over six months, and I signed for 2025 and 2026. So each time, we have these six months of lows. For the moment, I don’t plan any further. For the moment, we are in the procedure to go there, and it is already quite complex, between visas, and preparing everything, seeing where we are going to live, etc.

I am proud of my career

When is departure scheduled for?

I’m starting January 6 with the Gold for preparation. We will most certainly leave, a week before, between December and January, for the New Year period. The organization is great, by the club and even the league, because they take care of the house, the car, that’s it. is included in the contracts. Contracts are managed by a salary cap. They really want to make this country prosper in terms of rugby. They framed things so that rugby continued to develop in the right direction. There are quite a few things that are taken care of, we still get help. Franchises are organized to help with all these administrative points.

Does it mean anything to you to turn this French page of the Top 14?

Yes, the luck I have is that I finished well. That was my goal. With Usap, we are happy with the way it ended. We would have liked to have qualified last year, but I think that, given our season, we have already had some great moments. Personally, I proved what I had to prove for this club, and to end my career. It still matters, because I believe that I am leaving without regret or bitterness. I told myself it was time. I could have ended up with a sleepless season, or an injury, it would have been harder to swallow, I think. There, it’s over. I have no regrets. Maybe it’s because I’m looking forward to New Orleans, and I know I’m going to play. In the meantime, I’m following the Top 14 matches with pleasure.

What will you remember from your career in the Top 14?

It’s difficult. You always tell yourself that you could have done better. But looking back, I have no regrets. I gave 120% of what I had. I still believe that I was lucky to experience many things, whether it was playing for France, winning titles, playing in my hometown, having been in this club for a long time, having knew Usap and this historic club, its fervor. I could have made different choices. They might have been very good, but they might also have been less good. And looking back, I’m very happy with my career. Frankly, I’m very proud of it.