Béziers – Agen: we (re)play the match with Jacques Gratton

“They told me: “You are going to go to Agen!” “And I didn’t hesitate”

Jacques Gratton : I started rugby at US Lectoure, in Gers. There, I learned the basics, the pleasure of playing, and the collective spirit. Then, I moved to Auch, a more structured club, where I really progressed as a player. Then, in 1980, I joined Agen, but it was not a calculated choice. In Auch, we had a very good youth team, but there were internal problems, particularly with Jacques Fouroux, who was a key figure in French rugby. He advised us all to look elsewhere to continue to progress. When he told me: “You are going to go to Agen”I did not hesitate. Agen was a renowned club, with a real rugby culture. It was a turning point in my career.

Agen and Béziers, 40 years earlier…

J.G. : This 1984 final (21-21, SUA defeat on penalties) remains a very special, almost strange memory. We hadn’t really lost, but we hadn’t won either. It’s hard to explain, but it left a taste of unfinished business. It was the first time that a title was decided on penalties, and I was a spectator of it all, on the bench. After all, I wouldn’t have liked to be in the scorers’ position. Already because it wasn’t my role, and I knew I wouldn’t have scored (laughs). It’s such a special exercise, which requires as much mentality as technique. What struck me was the image of Bernard Viviès at the end. He was devastated after his missed shot, I was a little removed from it all, I didn’t have any particular emotion.

The 1984 final, more painful than 1986 and 1990?

J.G. : No, the most difficult to digest is that of 1990 against Racing (22-12 defeat). That year, we really had to win. We had an exceptional team, but things happened off the field that cost us the title. In 1984, we didn’t really lose. It was different, I found it less frustrating at the time than this real defeat at the end of normal time six years later. But it remains a memorable memory.

“It was a golden period, but we didn’t realize it”

J.G. : Between 1982 and 1990, I played in 7 finals in 8 years with Agen, between the French championship and the Challenge Yves-du-Manoir, and I won three of them. Looking back, it was a golden period. But at the time, we didn’t realize it. We lived in the moment, going through matches and competitions. Agen was a stronghold of French rugby, and we had exceptional players. But it wasn’t a burden, it was just our daily life and it must be said that we coped with it well.

The difficult experience of coaching the SUA

J.G : It was not obvious this half-season in 1998. The results were not there. After a failed European Challenge final (43-5 defeat against Colomiers), management decided to change things. It’s always difficult to live with, but these are the hazards of the job. Fortunately, it did not taint my relationship with Philippe (Mothe), with whom I was training at the time. Fortunately we had other, happier memories together (laughs), and that’s what counts.

Agen against Béziers, Friday evening

J.G. : I think it’s going to be a difficult match for Agen because currently Béziers is one of the best teams in Pro D2. Agen plays good matches, they try to play but they still have difficulties, I think, physically, they have difficulty playing big teams. Honestly, I think Béziers will win. But it’s rugby, and you’re never safe from a surprise. Agen has the potential to make a move, but he will have to be solid.

“The players need to develop physically”

J.G. : I feel that there is a little renewal in terms of play in the current SUA. We see that they are trying to play the game, I saw good will. We saw some good matches, we saw some good tries. But I find that the team is still a little soft. They need to physically expand. That’s a big part of what they’re missing. This is a subject that will become more and more important to hope for better at the end of the season.