From his debut at Saint-Florent to the Stade de France, a look back at the highlights of Loïc Jacquet’s career

Friday evening, supporters of Castres and Loïc followed the final from the Bos brasserie in Bourges.

Long before stepping onto the lawn of the Stade de France, Loïc Jacquet began to shine on the side of Saint-Florent. But, on a football field with his cousin, Arnaud. “My grandfather, who was in charge of the rugby school, told us: ‘If you still play football, you won’t come to my house anymore.’ He must have said it jokingly, but we took it seriously. Finally, we tried rugby and we loved it. So much so that the grandfather, Jean-Paul, ended up seeing his eight grandsons reapply in the Florentine jersey.

Berry professional rugby player Loïc Jacquet would like to “play an additional year”

In the footsteps of Eric Leconte

Arnaud and his brother David thus became professionals in Pro D2 and Fédérale 1 clubs, while their cousin Loïc had an international destiny. “His size, his sense of play, as well as his ball-in-hand skill suggested that he had superior skills to players of his age, recalls his uncle, Jean-François, who trained him in the first years at Saint Florent. Being myself a scorer at the club at the time, we regularly competed in training and he was an excellent scorer. »

Between Domigo and Davies in the Clermont jersey, in 2014 (photo Jean-Louis Gorce).

A quality that the future second line will not have the opportunity to develop later. After college, he joined the hope center of Ussel, in Corrèze. Already, Loïc has only one idea in mind: to wear the AS Montferrand jersey one day. This can be explained in particular by the presence at the club of another famous Florentais, Éric Leconte.

Florentine professional rugby player Loïc Jacquet: “We have to find positive points” in confinement

“He is a distant cousin and he was captain of the club, specifies Loïc Jacquet. He was the family idol. With my cousin (Arnaud), our dream was to play with ASM, something that we managed to do by the way. After my last year of sports studies, I signed in Clermont. “The two Florentais will only cross paths since Loïc Jacquet arrives in the hopes in 2002 while his glorious elder leaves the club in 2003.

Captain of the glorious U21 world champions

It was in 2006 that he found himself propelled to the forefront of the international scene. As captain of the France under-21 team, he became world champion by beating South Africa. Ironically, among the Blueberries, we found, in particular, Guilhem Guirado and Fulgence Ouedraogo. The two Montpellier residents ended their careers last Friday, like Loïc Jacquet.

The Florentais Loïc Jacquet “happy to have chosen Castres”

“More broadly, there was Damien Chouly, Max Médard, Louis Picamoles, François Trinh-Duc…, adds the ex-player of Castres Olympique. It was nice to meet all this generation again. We all leave at the same time. This title was a huge springboard in my career! “That day, among the baby Boks, the back was none other than the future French international Scott Spedding, who, like Loïc Jacquet, passed through Clermont and Castres.

Loic Jacquet in the foreground during the U21 World Cup in Clermont-Ferrand. (Photo Th Nicolas).

That same year, the young Florentais was called up for the France A team for the first time (he would have four selections) in order to play in the centenary match against New Zealand. That day, in the Stade de France, a banner paid tribute to French clubs. On that of Saint-Florent he discovers the photo of his father, Jean-Yves, former 2nd division player and current president of USF omnisports.

“When I was little, I wanted to play in the first team, at Saint-Flo, to be like him. He told us about the glorious years of the club. I already found that exceptional. And there, to be able to play in the France team against the All Blacks, I felt enormous pride. »

During a commando course at the 92nd RI, in 2008. (Photo Thierry Nicolas)

After a first Shield of Brennus won with Clermont in 2010, but where he does not appear on the match sheet, Loïc Jacquet becomes (again) champion of France in 2018, with Castres. In the field this time. “That day, I was champion twice. I really accepted this title from Clermont by winning the Bouclier with Castres. I had promised myself internally that I would no longer experience these moments in the stands. Fate and luck let me know this. It was beautiful. »

At 37, after 18 seasons at the highest level (315 Top 14 matches), Loïc Jacquet ended his career with a Top 14 final (his seventh, including five on the field).

In Saint-Florent in 2023

And now, how does he imagine his reconversion after a well-deserved vacation? “I did not prepare the post-rugby voluntarily. I wanted to take full advantage of these last moments. It will certainly be harder, but I can close the page without regret and history has proven me right. I hung on to get a place in the group and ended up at the Stade de France, on the pitch, playing. I received many messages from people who congratulated me on my career. I can leave like a lord. I had a golden exit. »

The year following his victory in the Top 14, Loïc Jacquet came to Saint-Florent with the Brennus.

Next year, the rugby section of the Florentine Sports Union will celebrate its 120th anniversary. And on this occasion, the young retiree intends to return to his roots. “It’s the club of my debut, which made me dream, where I learned to play rugby. I wish I could have come back with the Brennus (like in 2019). But I’ll be at the club party, that’s for sure! »

Philip Roche

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