Paul Altier was to chain his fourteenth tenure in fifteen games on Saturday evening. But the frost was invited on the lawn of the Bourillot stadium, match postponed. “I was ready to play a big match against Soyaux-Angoulême so I went for a cardio session in the weight room”, smiled the 22-year-old full-back. Not the type to let himself down at the slightest difficulty, boy! Paul Altier has a life course and therefore atypical rugby. Born in Thailand of French parents, he is grandiose in Hong Kong. It was there that he discovered rugby union even if he played a lot of sevens, living on the site of a historic tournament.

Moreover, he was “recovered” by the Hong Kong national team and notably participated, with the under 20s, in the World B. He then played two seasons in university on the side of Bath before returning to play in XV this time a season in Hong Kong. To then disembark in Dijon and finally live in France. “The Stade Dijonnais had a project that interested me”, says the young man. The Burgundy team is playful, he particularly likes to try raises and go to the challenge in an avoidance style. So it worked… He is even the second most used player by the staff after center Alban Conduché. “Trying things is part of my game but I quickly understood that I had to be a reassuring player”, confides the rear.

game time

The technical staff went to look for Paul Altier for his ability to be an X factor. From rugby sevens, he inherited qualities of support, shaped to beat an opponent in one against one. Valuable assets to XV too. “Dijon is a playful team in which I manage to express myself well, he continues. And I feel freedom because of our game plan.” But with certain nuances. “I have to improve in game management, he explains with lucidity. Knowing how to play in a high championship where it hits harder and goes faster, it took me a few months to get used to it. And succeed in expressing myself well, showing my qualities. Since there were not many other players in my position in the team, I had to quickly integrate and get used to the club and the National. » And develop qualities like kicking and aerial receptions. The back is for the moment a good accelerator of the Dijon game, a creator of disorder in the opposing defense. He still has to succeed in finishing the actions a little more (a test this season).

He will have time to progress on this point in the future because Paul Altier is re-enlisting for a season (and an optional one) in Burgundy, where he discovers life in his country of origin. “There is a good project here,” he repeats. I play a lot and it is important at my age to accumulate experience and playing time. I think we have a good chance of maintaining ourselves. And that we deserve better than our current place. » It will surely make the difference in very close matches. The twirling rear will then be to be watched closely.