2023-12-21 14:19:00
the essentials Three rugby players from the Fumélois club are also Andorran internationals. They recount their rugby adventures across Europe, between emotions during the anthems and hair loss in Turkey.
Usually, on Sundays, the Franken brothers, Benjamin and Samuel, as well as Galdric Calvet wear the black and white colors of the US Vallée du Lot 47, the Fumelois agreement (Fumel – Tournon – Saint-Vite). However, four weekends a year, the USVL 47 staff knows that it will not be able to count on these three young players. For good reason, they are often at the other end of Europe. But always on a rugby field.
For two years, they have defended the colors of the Andorra national team, where Daniel Franken – a well-known figure in Lot-et-Garonnais rugby and father of Samuel and Benjamin – coaches the back lines. The Isards, nickname of the selection, play in the international Conference championship, the 4th European level. This season, the Andorrans face Latvia, Finland, Denmark and Norway.
But how might three players from Lot-et-Garonne have the honors of the selection? Because they played, in their youth, within the only rugby club in the Principality, VPC Andorra, which played for several seasons in the French championships before recently joining those of Catalonia. “The first time the coach calls you, you feel something special… You are still asked to represent a country. The first night, you don’t sleep much. You don’t think regarding anything else. »
Turkish shearing
And their first selection, they will remember it for a long time. “It was in Türkiye. There is a ritual in the selection: for your first cape, we shave your head. Generally, we go to Turkey to have more hair. We can say that we went there to lose them! »
Since then, the hair has grown back. Like traveling with the selection. “It’s still a great experience. The plane, the hotel, the foreign country… We don’t have much time to visit, except in the evening following the match! » In the USVL 47 locker room, this brings back good memories to “Tass” Moussaïd and Mounir Ben Bouneffa, who experienced similar adventures with Morocco. Or Bachuki Gujaraidze with Georgia.
The colossi of Northern Europe
With their Andorran teammates, most of whom play in the local club, they face rugby from elsewhere. “Malta is very strong. Finland is surprising. But, generally, when we face nations from the north or east of Europe, we come across guys who make us 20 kg and two heads but who are not very rugby. » They estimate the level of these European games at the Federal 2-1. “For us, rugby-wise, it’s a good experience. Especially since we are playing with the IRB rules. We push the scrums to the limit, we can tackle higher, make spoons…”
If Benjamin and Samuel Franken and Galdric Calvet are of French nationality, wearing the Andorran selection jersey has real meaning for them. “We represent a country, a nation. When we sing the anthem together, in front of the public, it’s strong… There is an extra level of motivation compared to a simple championship match. »
Next deadline for the Andorran internationals of USVL 47 on April 13 with the reception of Finland then a trip to Norway on May 13.
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