Gruissan‘s Captain Returns for Crucial Granada Match at Key Point in the Season
After suffering an injury and serving a suspension to start the season, experienced captain Flavien Nouhaillaguet is returning to the Aviron Gruissanais lineup just in time for their crucial away match against Granada. Nouhaillaguet, who has already missed three matches this season due to the challenges, is eager to make his contribution on the field again. “ “I had to have an operation on one foot. The operation should have been done in March but we preferred to postpone it until after the end of the season so that I could participate in the final stages. I am happy to be back competing, to bring my experience but I am not going to transform the team on my own.”
Physically, I clearly lack rhythm. With this suspension, I was not able to continue as I wanted. Mentally, I feel good with the desire to make up for this red card,” Nouhaillaguet shared.
His return gives Gruissan a boost as they face a tough Granada team with a strong forward pack.
A Surprise Shift to the Seaside
Nouhaillaguet’s career path leading him to the seaside club of Gruissan may seem unusual, given his history in top-tier rugby. Before signing with Gruissan, he played in Joué-lès-Tours’ Top 14 team, and then had successful stints with Aurillac for five years and Narbonne for four.
“President Jean-Pierre Grand contacted me and wanted to meet me. He very quickly understood my expectations surrounding my retraining. We talked very little about rugby. Today, my family and I are in Narbonne, the living environment is great, so the plan is to stay here,” Nouhaillaguet explained about his decision to join Gruissan.
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A Season with New Challenges
Nouhaillaguet acknowledges that the start to the season hasn’t been ideal for Gruissan, with tougher competition and a difficult schedule contributing to the early challenges. “We knew the field was tougher than last year and that there had been a lot of changes in the off-season with the departure of certain executives and the arrival of a new coach up front. And on top of that, the schedule was not favorable to us with three trips in the first four matches,” he stated.
He remains optimistic, believing this trip to Granada could be a turning point. “This match is important against a team that is not easy to maneuver, with a big forward pack,” Nouhaillaguet affirmed.
Recycled Leadership
C
oach Laurent Pous is acutely aware of the positive impact Nouhaillaguet’s return will have on the team, both on and off the field.
“Flavien is an experienced player who has played at a high level. He is an interesting relay to get messages across. He is also one of our leaders in the locker room and on seguintes pitches,” Pous emphasized.
How has the suspension Flavien Nouhaillaguet received impacted his recovery process?
## Captain Nouhaillaguet Ready to Steer Gruissan Ship Back on Course
**Interviewer:** Welcome back, Flavien. It’s great to see you back on the field after a difficult start to the season.
**Flavien Nouhaillaguet:** Thanks for having me. It hasn’t been easy being sidelined, both with the injury and the subsequent suspension.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned needing an operation. Can you elaborate on that?
**Flavien Nouhaillaguet:** Yes, I needed surgery on one of my feet. We decided to postpone it until after last season to be able to participate in the final stages. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately the right one. Now, I’m fully recovered and ready to contribute again. [[1](https://www.ladepeche.fr/2024/12/01/nouhaillaguet-de-retour-aux-affaires-a-gruissan-12358446.php)]
**Interviewer:** How has the recovery process been both physically and mentally?
**Flavien Nouhaillaguet:** Physically, I’m still lacking match rhythm. The suspension certainly didn’t help with that. Mentally, though, I’m feeling strong. I’m eager to make up for missing those early games and I absolutely want to make amends for the red card that led to the suspension.
**Interviewer:** This is a crucial match against Granada. How important is it for you and the team to get a positive result?
**Flavien Nouhaillaguet:** Granada is always a tough opponent, especially on their home turf. Their forward pack is incredibly strong. This match is very important for us, and having me back adds some experience and leadership to the squad. However, I want to emphasize that it won’t be about me single-handedly transforming the team. This is a collective effort, and we all need to pull together
