There is an element that does not deceive. Last Friday, ahead of the Top 14 final, Loïc Jacquet invited the President of the Republic to submit an application. “I have been entrusted with a mission …” he began.
Always ready to help, the now former Castres Olympique player, originally from Saint-Florent (Cher), wanted the naturalization request of his Fijian teammate Adrea Cocagi to succeed. “Although he hasn’t always been a captain, he is a leader, one who speaks easily and who has good analysis, underlines his cousin David Jacquet, a former professional. He has had a career like not many, only in the Top 14. Wherever he has gone, he has left fond memories. “
On Friday evening, fans from Castres and Loïc followed the final from the Bos brasserie in Bourges.
Long before stepping on the lawn of the Stade de France, Loïc Jacquet began to shine alongside Saint-Florent. But, on a football field with his cousin, Arnaud. “My grandfather, who ran the rugby school, used to tell 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. In the end we tried rugby and liked it very much, so much so that his grandfather, Jean-Paul, ended up seeing his eight grandchildren reapply in the Florentine shirt.
prize Top 14: Castres winner (29-10) in the final, Montpellier has its first heroes
In the footsteps of Éric Lecomte
Arnaud and his brother David thus became professionals in the Pro D2 and Fédérale 1 clubs, while his cousin Loïc had an international destiny. “His size, his sense of play, as well as his ball-in-hand speech suggested he had skills superior to players of his age, recalls his uncle, Jean-François, who coached him in his early years at Saint Florent. Being a club scorer at the time, we competed regularly in training and he was an excellent scorer. “
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NL 11
Between Domigo and Davies in the Clermont jersey, in 2014 (photo Jean-Louis Gorce).
A quality that the future second line will have no way of developing later on. After college, he joined Ussel’s center of hope in Corrèze. Loïc already has only one idea in mind: one day wear the AS Montferrand shirt. This is explained in particular by the presence at the club of another famous Florentais, Éric Lecomte.
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“He is a distant cousin and was captain of the club, explains Loïc Jacquet. He was the family idol. With my cousin (Arnaud), our dream was to play ASM, something we managed to do among other things. After my last year of sports studies, I signed up in Clermont. “The two Florentais will only cross paths since Loïc Jacquet comes in hope 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 pushed to the fore on the international scene. As captain of France Under 21, he became world champion by beating South Africa. Ironically, among the Blueberries, we find, in particular, Guilhem Guirado and Fulgence Ouedraogo. The two Montpellier residents ended their careers last Friday as Loïc Jacquet.
“More generally, there were Damien Chouly, Max Médard, Louis Picamoles, François Trinh-Duc…, adds the now former Castres Olympique player. It was nice to meet this whole 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 full-back was none other than the future French international Scott Spedding, who, like Loïc Jacquet, passed through Clermont and Castres.
Loic Jacquet featured during the U21 World Cup in Clermont-Ferrand. (Photo Th Nicolas).
In the same year the young man from the second row is called up for the first time in France A (he will have four selections) to play the centenary match against New Zealand. That day, at the Stade de France, a banner paid tribute to French clubs. In that of Saint-Florent he discovers the photo of his father, Jean-Yves, former 2nd division player and current president of the 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’ve already found it exceptional. And there, to be able to play in France against the All Blacks, I felt enormous pride. “
During a commando course at the 92nd RI, in 2008. (Photo Thierry Nicolas)
After a first Brennus Shield won with Clermont in 2010, but where it does not appear on the match sheet, Loïc Jacquet becomes (again) champion of France in 2018, with Castres. On the pitch 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. It was wonderful. “
At 37, after 18 seasons at the highest level (315 Top 14 games), Loïc Jacquet ended his career with a final in the Top 14 (the seventh, including five in the field).
The year after winning the Top 14, Loïc Jacquet arrived in Saint-Florent with Brennus.
And now, how do you imagine your conversion 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 more difficult, but I can close the page with no regrets and history has proved me right. I held out for a place in the group and ended up playing at the Stade de France, on the pitch. I have received many messages from people who have congratulated me on my career. I can leave like a gentleman. I had a golden exit. “
Philip Roche
