Rugby, Fédérale 2 (quarter-final of the French championship): Nathan Thizon would like to play another Tour

Tours in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, doesn't that mean anything to you? To Nathan Thizon, yes. Perhaps, for the moment, the best day of his playing career. The three-quarter center, then Capiste, had lifted the French champion's shield. It was in 2017. An eternity. "Some of my teammates kindly pointed out that I was one of the oldest in the group," he smiles.

Different adventures

That said, the comparison game ends there. In 2017, the CAP, then in Fédérale 3, had been administratively relegated and included a few players who had played higher up the league. "They were clearly the ones who showed us the way," admits Nathan Thizon. This year, the Bergerac squad is younger, more carefree, but very united. "The coaches built a team with guys from Bergerac and the surrounding area," emphasizes the center. "We really enjoy being together."

Nathan Thizon, originally from Ribéracois, admits that the club's goal at the start of the season was qualification. Once that was achieved, it was time to move up to Fédérale 1. This was achieved in the last match, in the round of 16 second leg against Casteljaloux at Gaston-Simounet. Now, it's just a bonus.

Having returned to USB after a six-year exile, Nathan Thizon is enjoying the adventure. "For me, it's a rediscovery," he says. "There's a great mentality and, from a sporting perspective, we're having a blast." The Bergerac players love to move the ball around and it's obvious they enjoy it.

Watch out for air pockets

"It's the coaches' desire," says the center. "We enjoy playing like this, and I think it's fun to watch." Having played for Vergt and Usan, Nathan Thizon seems to be thriving at Gaston-Simounet. Even though we're "only" at the quarter-final stage, the idea of ​​going further is present in the Bergeracois minds. "There are eight good teams left," tempers the player. "Of course, in the back of our minds, we're thinking about it. But, really, we're moving forward match by match." In the previous round, USB eliminated the Cadets de Gascogne.

"But this time, it'll be different," warns the Bergerac player. "We'll be playing on neutral ground and in a one-on-one match." And he's right to warn, USB sometimes has guilty lapses during matches. "Since the start of the final stages, we've been improving," notes the center three-quarter. "Even though the squad is quite young, we're not panicking." Two weeks ago, Casteljaloux took control of the match before Bergerac rolled on. A lesson in mastery.