the essential
For the most Lot-et-Garonnais of Tarn-et-Garonnais, this derby between SU Agen and US Montauban takes on a very special character, where many of their loved ones will be in the stands.
“I have requests from family and friends who are coming in greater numbers than usual. I'm trying to sort this out at the start of the week. » This is not a period like any other for Sébastien Calvet. For the first time in the flag team, he will lead the SUA against Montauban this Thursday evening.
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“I think especially about the event. These are two great historic clubs in French rugby. Montauban was French champion in the 1960s. The SUA perhaps has a more prestigious history, and I happen to live in Valence-d'Agen, in the middle of the two! »
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A real pride for the Valencian. If his heart obviously swings among the Agenais, he does not forget his roots in 82. “I was very close to Montauban. It's a club run by people I know well. I think of Michel Ambal, my mentor, but also of Johan Dalla Riva, fullback when I coached in the Top 14.” Because, we must not forget, Calvet coached the Tarn-et-Garonnais for two seasons, between 2009 and 2011.
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“A special flavor”
He has very good memories of this period. “There is a fabulous match against Bayonne where the bowl invades the pitch for the equivalent of sporting support. These are moments that we will look for, with real osmosis between the public, players and supporters. »
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The technician also remembers “success at Stade Français at the start of the project, and victories at Sapiac against Racing or Clermont”. But there is also an open scar, “the cold shower of not having maintained the club”, relegated by the national authorities to Federal 1 in 2010. “I was part of this delegation which met the DNACG. I find this relegation very severe. »
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Having left Tarn-et-Garonne because he “did not manage to come to an agreement with Xavier Péméja” in particular, Sébastien Calvet closely follows the results of the Montalbanais “by force of circumstances”. “After Agen, I am happy to see them succeed. I am surprised, and not surprised by their start to the season. Going from a possible descent to tied first place, these are the extremes! », Explains the Valencian, before continuing: “Sébastien Tillous-Borde, whom I trained at Pôle France, is a boy who is consistent in what he offers. »
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There is also the new Sapiac discovered by Calvet during the match against Grenoble a few weeks ago. “I had been there twice before this match. I find it to be a real added value. I also found the Sapiacan supporters with whom I have always had very good relationships. » Supporters, but also a team supervised in preview during this evening, alongside Barry Maddocks. “I came back with pleasure. I'm happy to see them succeed, except against Agen. »
From now on, Sébastien Calvet will enter his meeting over the next few hours, trying to ignore all the parasitic context. “It’s a match with a particular flavor, without forgetting that there is the public match, where we hope to see “blue and white” in the vast majority. We need to be supported by our own. This is not a trivial match. » Especially not for the Calvet family, and Sébastien, the most Lot-et-Garonnais of the Tarn-et-Garonnais.
