Pro D2 – Montauban: a new start for Thomas Larregain

While USM finds itself in second place in the ranking after a great start to the season, the trip to Valence-Romans will have all its importance. Because he could well take these Montalbanais to a new level. Collectively of course but also individually since several players should make their return. Thomas Larregain will be one of them. Friday, the USM fullback, injured in the shoulder in April, will return to the field after more than six months of absence: “It feels like it’s been forever since I last played.”. Especially when we know the background of the former Castrese.

Last season, Thomas Larregain chose to join Montauban after two seasons in the Top 14 to gain playing time. But everything did not go as planned. “I had hip impingement, it’s a bony growth. We discovered it a little late. At first, I resolved it with infiltrations. But after a while it didn’t do anything to me anymore. . I had hip pain 24 hours a day, it wasn’t just during exercise. There wasn’t much hindsight on this case. I had surgery and that had to be fixed in a few. month took a year” says Thomas Larregain.

A (new) evil for a good

A year where he initially started by limiting the damage by playing at 50%, always bothered by this hip. During the last exercise, the fullback started twice against Vannes and Mont-de-Marsan without really managing to find a place in the rotation. Two matches at the start of the season then a slack period before making his return against Aix-en-Provence at the end of the season. After only ten minutes of play, Thomas Larregain left the pitch with a shoulder injury. An injury that would keep him away from the field for four more months. “It’s a period that wasn’t easy to manage. Whether you like it or not, when you’re injured, you’re left out of the group and you quickly fall into oblivion. So, it was hard, especially with what we experienced last season. Obviously, after a while, you had some doubts. forced because of the shoulder saved me. That’s what allowed me to rest my hip once and for all and get back to 100%.”

It must be said that after an operation and a race against time between rehabilitation and physical preparation to try to return to his best level, the rear did not really have time to settle down. Today in full possession of his means, Thomas Larregain will have to seize his chance. But also, take full advantage of the moment: “I want to have fun again because a few months ago I didn’t even know if I could be on the field again one day. Friday, I will have to take my chance but I know what I have to do”. So it’s time to show it. Because this first match of the season for Thomas Larregain could sound like a new beginning.