With 335 matches since his arrival at Marcel-Deflandre in 2010, Sazy has experienced almost everything, from European joys to the throes of Pro D2. As he approaches his final fights, 'The Sheriff' now wants to enjoy. "The coach (Ronan O'Gara, editor's note) says it quite often: once you're on the couch, it's too late! I think I'm closer to the couch than the training center (smiles)," Sazy said.

Because, despite all his experience, the captain of the reigning European champions remains "a kid", as he says himself before the third semi-final of the Champions Cup of rank for La Rochelle.

"I'm just like a kid, very excited. Initially, all the teams leave to get there. When you take the games of the last few seasons, it's fabulous. But, in the end, we retain only one thing: the title. There is still a long way to go. There is pride but also a lot of excitement on the desire to go to the end. I don't think you can get used to such scenarios," he said. "It's so fantastic, we play for that, to live moments like this, moments of communion."

Romain Sazy during the eighth Champions Cup final between La Rochelle and Gloucester on April © 1st Thibaud MORITZ / AFP/Archives

Guarantor of a certain state of mind, 'La Saze' has also been able to see the evolution of the caravel club into a European cador, with a squad full of French internationals (Alldritt, Atonio, Wardi, Tanga, Bourgarit ...) or foreign (Skelton, Botia, Leyds ...).

"We have had other cycles but, for the last two or three years, the progression has been there. Every year, there are novelties at the club, whether it is the stand, the training center ... The club is strengthening, there has never been a year where we have remained quiet, unlike other trajectories of clubs, "assured the second line with piercing eyes.

"Happy to be on the boat"

"I played in Montauban (from 2006 to 2010), I went back: nothing has changed. That's why we're very lucky to be in La Rochelle, in a club with a lot of ambition, which attracts players. I'm happy to be on the boat," he smiled again.

Romain Sazy during the Top 14 match between La Rochelle and Toulouse on February 27, 2021 © XAVIER LEOTY / AFP/Archives

Now a convinced European, Sazy followed in the footsteps of his coach, Irishman Ronan O'Gara, winner with Munster (2006, 2008) before guiding La Rochelle to its first European title.

"We really like this European Cup and +ROG+, when he arrived, was keen to press on that. It's a competition he knows very well. He gave us the keys, tickled us so that we could be super excited and showed us that it was possible. It's such a beautiful competition with huge matches!" said Sazy.

Before going for a second star, however, the Rochelais must beat the Exeter Chiefs, a team they have never beaten since their first opposition, in 2014 in the Challenge Cup. The French remain on four consecutive setbacks.

"It's a team that we know, quite complete, strong, with individualities on all lines capable of making the difference, of moving the ball," said Sazy.

"It's up to us to be very clean, to set up our game and do simple things with a lot of intensity. It's a step to take and we want to take it, regardless of the opponent," he said.

In the final, La Rochelle could find a regular, Leinster or Toulouse, opposed in the other semi-final. Nothing prevents you from dreaming when you are "a kid."

© 2023 AFP