"We have the potential", François Trinh-Duc believes in Brennus with the UBB

Before returning to the MHR, the new opening half opens up about his last season at the top level The Bordeaux-Bègles Union, second in the Top 14, receives Montpellier this Saturday (3 p.m.) during the 6th day. Arrived in Gironde this summer to find his best friend Louis Picamoles and complete the loop together, François Trinh-Duc is convinced that UBB has the potential to win the Brennus this season. If he is now in the transmission of his experience to Matthieu Jalibert, he does not see hims

The Bordeaux-Bègles Union, second in the Top 14, receives Montpellier this Saturday (3 p.m.) during the 6th day.
Arrived in Gironde this summer to find his best friend Louis Picamoles and complete the loop together, François Trinh-Duc is convinced that UBB has the potential to win the Brennus this season.
If he is now in the transmission of his experience to Matthieu Jalibert, he does not see himself continuing in pro rugby after the end of his career.

They are far from the first to come from the top of their 34 and 35 years. They have seen (many) more in their rich careers. However, it may still make them funny on Saturday (3 p.m.) to find themselves in the same jersey, that of the Union Bordeaux-Bègles, against their club of heart, Montpellier, during the 6th day of Top 14. For François Trinh-Duc and Louis Picamoles, it will never be a match like any other. But maybe the last ...

Indeed, the friends of always planned to hang up the crampons at the end of the season.

Together therefore, and at UBB.

The third row, arrived during last season, was joined by his friend opening half this summer.

A François Trinh-Duc who came to bring all his experience to this Bordeaux team but also to a certain Matthieu Jalibert, one of his successors with the XV of France, as he confided to

20 Minutes.

How are these first weeks in Gironde going for you?

Very well.

I was well integrated, well received by everyone.

It is also a region where it is good to live there.

The whole family feels very good there.

In the field, I quickly found my marks on a fairly ambitious game project and it is with pleasure that I train here every day.

Is that what you expected?

Yes that's exactly what I imagined.

Over the past few years, UBB has had very good seasons and so far, we are off to a good start (second in the Top 14 after five games) even if we have left a few points on the way (defeat in Biarritz and draw at Castres).

The objective is of course to play the qualification and then after the finals, it is always very open.

For the moment, in a personal capacity, you do not play a lot (only one tenure) ...

I know why I came here (to be the understudy of Matthieu Jalibert) so even if sometimes it's a bit hard because we are all competitors, there is no frustration.

Maybe today I only play the end of the game but they have become so important and strategic nowadays, with points to go for that suits me too.

And then when Matthieu leaves for the France team, I will have to answer this.

The goal is also to prepare well for this moment.

This match against Montpellier, it remains special for you?

Already, that has changed a lot since my departure (2016), after that it remains my club of heart.

There are still players opposite that I have known well and for a long time: Fulgence Ouedraogo, Geoffrey Doumayrou or Kylian Galtier.

Obviously, it's always a little weird to play against them but less than the following year when I left the club.

Top 14: “Plaisir”, big brother… François Trinh-Duc's “last beautiful challenge” at UBB https://t.co/TMVpkyBlPO via @ 20minutesBord pic.twitter.com/Jp3HRPHAJI

- 20minutesbordeaux (@ 20minutesbord) August 24, 2021

And Louis Picamoles will be by your side this time?

We always thought we would end our careers together.

Initially, it was more about a project abroad and then finally, the opportunity arose with Bordeaux.

We are very happy to meet again and especially to replay together on a field.

To come back to UBB, what is your relationship with Christophe Urios?

This was also one of the reasons for my coming, I wanted to work with Christophe (Urios).

For me, he's one of the only real managers I've known in rugby.

He manages and he has his assistants who talk more about rugby, who prepare training.

He is above all there to supervise, so that everyone stays within the framework, to make individual meetings on the state of mind, the vision, the objectives… He is ultra-picky about it and it's a real plus!

This allows us to know where we are, to know where we are going and why we are doing things.

It is very very important.

Do you think this team can win the Brennus Shield this season?

I think we have the potential to be champion.

We are perhaps not the most armed team in terms of players but on the state of mind, on the will to play and especially to play together, we are very solid.

If we continue to grow, to work together because it is our real strength, we have great things to accomplish.

We also have talented players, strong players, experienced players… It's a very good mix to find something at the end.

But all that has to be shown on the pitch and every weekend.

Is this your last season?

So far yes, since I only signed for a year.

I am dedicating myself 300% to this season, it will be very long as usual.

I really like this role that I have with Matthieu (Jalibert) where I am on the transmission.

We prepare the matches together.

It is important for me to pass on because when I started, I was very well supported by elders and it allowed me to save time.

How do you see your post-career?

Even if I am a lot in transmission today as I just said, I rather want to leave the world of professional rugby.

I want to take a break first.

I am rather in the optics of going to give a hand to the amateur rugby schools near my home in Montpellier.

I don't necessarily want to stay in pro rugby.

Sport

Top 14: “Plaisir”, big brother… François Trinh-Duc's “last great challenge” at UBB