Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'It isn't the divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, but there is pain and disappointment'

Laurent Travers (left) and Laurent Labit will wrap up their 14-year co-coaching partnership at the end of the Top 14 season (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Laurent Travers has admitted he feels sad his extraordinary 14-year, co-coaching partnership with Laurent Labit is due to soon end.

ADVERTISEMENT

After successful stints together at Montauban, Castres and Racing 92, Labit is off to experience the Test arena after deciding to join the France national team set-up under incoming boss Fabien Galthie, a development that will leave Travers running the show at Racing all on his own.

Having won Top 14 titles at Castres and Racing, the pair seemed inseparable given their successful working arrangement as equal partners. However, that dynamic is about to to finally change, leaving a feeling of nostalgia in the air as Racing attempt to reach the end-of-season title play-offs.

“Of course (you feel nostalgic). It’s normal after 14 years and the results we had with all the players and staffs that we met,” said Travers in a rugbyrama.fr interview.

“This separation is difficult but it doesn’t erase what we achieved together for 14 years. Nor is it the divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. But as in any end, there is pain and disappointment.

“There are choices that he and I take. A new challenge will be presented next season for him as for me, but what is certain is that everyone will want the other to succeed.

“Laurent had this opportunity to be an assistant, with superiors who will be Fabien Galthie and Raphael Ibanez. I wish him all the happiness and be able to succeed.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We sometimes had disagreements but I don’t know a couple who doesn’t have any. They were settled in an office and didn’t go further.”

Having operated as a co-coach for so long, next season will be an adjustment for Travers as he goes it alone as a team boss. It’s a challenge he’s looking forward to.

“I will be head coach, that is to say that I will be in charge of all the professional and sports area of the club. It’s a great responsibility and I want to thank president (Jacky) Lorenzetti for the trust he gives me.

“This will not prevent me from continuing to be close to the field because that’s what I like, but I will manage a staff in the image of what can do Franck Azema in Clermont or Pierre Mignoni in Lyon,” he said, going on to admit that the names of Ronan O’Gara and Gonzalo Quesada have been in the mix to link up at Racing as an assistant coach.

ADVERTISEMENT
Ronan O’Gara worked under Laurent Travers during his spell at Racing, but he won’t be returning to Paris (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“Nothing is concrete, yet it’s true that they are part of the short-list. Ronan, I worked with him at Racing recently and I get on very well with him.

“The challenge would have interested him but unfortunately, he told me that we arrived too late because he had already given his word to another club (most likely La Rochelle). Out of respect, I did not ask him which one.

“Regarding Gonzalo, he knows the club and we have been in contact several times. I will not deny that there are contacts.

“What I can say is that next season, in addition to me, we will have a forwards coach, a three-quarters coach who will also be responsible for the attack and the strategy with me, and a coach of the defence. The staff will not be bloated, but everyone will have a well-defined mission.”

WATCH: Jim Hamilton’s RugbyPass short in Paris with Finn Russell

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
TI 25 minutes ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

46 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

0 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Lamb to the slaughter? Italy aim to 'get stuck into' All Blacks Lamb to the slaughter? Italy aim to 'get stuck into' All Blacks
Search