The world is small. And that of Rugby even more.
At the edge of the pitch, in the staff, or in front of the cameras, it is common to find former players. But some, whether they had to cope without the advantages of professionalism (and therefore worked alongside sport) or whether they benefited from them, chose very different paths.
In a series published over the weeks, between October 2024 and January 2025, Var-morning invited you to look back on the “other lives” of several former RCT players, between double careers and unusual reconversions. Today, find (in order) the identity of the fifteen ex-athletes who were honored during the different episodes.
1. Jérôme Gallion
A true legend of the Toulon Rugby club, the scrum half also brilliantly led a career as a dental surgeon. He still operates in the city center of Toulon. Read the article.
2. Philip Fitzgerald
The hooker has truly been adopted in the harbor. Scottish by origin, “Fitzy” became, at the end of his studies, a seasoned lawyer at the Toulon bar. Read the article.
3. Guillaume Delmotte
The Varois can today boast of being at the head of the best-placed ice cream parlor in Marseille. Success has therefore not abandoned the former three-quarter international center. Read the article.
4. Yvan Roux
In his time, the second row was one of the most feared players in the French championship. Now, it is widely appreciated by traders in the sector, since it provides them with valuable training in the field of hotels and restaurants. Read the article.
5. Mohamed Dridi
Being the “king of the village”… Then losing almost everything in a few months. “Momo” Dridi’s life as a rugby player has not been a smooth ride. It was finally by returning home, to Toulon, that he was able to bounce back into a new field. Read the article.
6. Laurent Magnaval
Original reconversion for the current number 9 of the Seynoise Sports Union, which took over the family agricultural land to produce beautiful Solliès figs. Read the article.
7. Eric Champ
Already valiant on the pitch, the international third line was also conquering off it. Because “Mushroom” has almost had a thousand lives. One of them was shared between large offices and airports. Read the article.
-8. Patrice Teisseire
Greedy of wide open spaces on the ground… But also greedy in short! After working for years as a physiotherapist, the man who wore the flocked 15 jersey during his career took over the family business, where you can find delicious nougats and chocolates. Read the article.
9. Gérald Orsoni
He found a new passion getting closer to nature. After climbing the ranks, “Big Gé” today manages one of the three forester-sapper bases in the Var. Read the article.
10. Pierre Trémouille
It’s a small institution on the Almanarre beach in Hyères. And the one who was double champion of France with Toulon is no stranger to it. It is he who, with two friends, has managed the Funboard center sailing club for more than 25 years. Read the article.
11. Jerome Bianchi
The former Rouge et Noir gunner has never stopped working at the highest level. Physiotherapist and osteopath, he has worked for years for stars of the international tennis circuit. The culmination of an astonishing double journey. Read the article.
12. Sébastien Bruno
He wanders from event to event with his brigade. And adapt his menu, again and again. With his traveling caterer concept, the adopted Toulonnais mixes flavors. Read the article.
13. Jean-Christophe Repon
“JC” Repon had thrilled thousands of Toulonnais with his essay during the 1992 final. He now represents tens of thousands of craftsmen at the highest levels, as president of the confederation of crafts and small construction companies. Read the article.
14. Noel Curnier
Arriving to help a club on the brink of collapse, the former hooker finally made the Toulon Tennis Club a “war machine” and a pioneer in the region. Christmas present. Read the article.
15. Franck Comba
The native Hyérois is a man of instinct. After having taken on diverse and varied challenges, he has just embarked on an adventure as a real estate advisor. Read the article
