Why organize such an event with your old high school sports team?

We decided to meet for the 30th anniversary of our UNSS title. It comes from the initiative of our former captain, Pascal Giuily. We were lucky to be at Lycée Bellevue in the sport rugby section, which is almost the antechamber of the hope pole. At the time, our coaches were Christian Deleris, Henri Nart, Gérard Valette and Albert Cigagna. We were French UNSS cadet champions in 90, junior vice-champions in 91 and junior champions in 92. Among the players of this Bellevue team, there were Franck Belot, Ugo Mola and Richard Castel. Nowadays, they are figures of rugby.

Your rugby team from 1989 to 1992, what was so special about it?

There was great cohesion in this team. It is in particular thanks to the state of mind of the coaches. We also came from all walks of life. There were players from Colomiers, Castanet, Ramonville or Stade and despite that, this diversity worked and we evolved together with the same mentality. We also had facilities thanks to our schedules granted by the management of the Lycée.

Today it’s been 30 years, this meeting is also the story of marking the occasion? How will the reunion go?

We wanted to meet somewhere and we found the Château de Caraman. With some, we haven’t seen each other for more than 30 years. It’s going to be fun to see each other again. For others, we met thanks to our professional horizons or thanks to our love of rugby. We created a WhatsApp group to be able to discuss and meet. Me, I also have VHS tapes of the final and we will try to pass them. We have also planned a lot of surprises for this team meeting. The goal is to do a little commemoration of the titles of 1991 and 1992. Those were great times. We will be more than 45 by paying former players and coaches. The goal is really to get together and share a good time. We are lucky to be able to meet again and it is priceless. There will be all the people who have been part of this wonderful adventure.

Among these former high school players, there are big names in rugby. Are you proud to see that former teammates are now oval ball celebrities?

Of course, there are some who have become real champions, so it’s a source of pride. Somewhere we can say that it starts from there, from these titles won at the Lycée de Bellevue. I remember, they already had a lot of talent at the time and I think that being with our coaches at the time was also very formative. After what we remember above all, it is the human adventure with beautiful finals.

Precisely, you made a final at Ernest Wallon in 1992, it was also in the symbolism when we see that now Ugo Mola trains the Stade Toulousain?

Yes, I remember this final very well, moreover, it was just after the Corsican disaster of Furiani. There was a tribute with a minute of silence and after our friends who encourage us. I remember the emotion and playing more in a place like Ernest Wallon, for us it was also incredible. We were in the players’ locker room, it was memorable.