Friendly match. France A – England A, this Friday (6:15 p.m.)
For the first time in its history, La Rabine will host a match for the French senior men’s rugby team. Even if this “Crunch” will not count as an official selection, a lot of people will be hitting the Morbihan lawn this Friday, whether on the French side (Moefana, Guillard, Attissogbe…) or the English side (Marcus Smith, George Ford, Tom Curry…).
But one player will capture all the attention of the audience. Nolann Le Garrec, the native of the country, will start at scrum half. He will play in Vannes for the second time in his professional career, after beating RCV there with Racing 92 last season.
With the French team jersey, the symbolism is even stronger for him, which embodies the colossal development of a region and a club. “His return to Vannes is expected,” explains Wilfrid Lahaye, head of the Pôle Espoirs Academy, who has known him since he was little. Today, he is truly the standard bearer, who wears the French jersey and also the Breton flag whenever he can show it off. He is a modest and humble boy, who has already come to the Academy to give testimonies. For the numbers 9, it slightly reinforces belonging to the club. HAS”
His XV de France jersey also hangs in the Jo-Courtel clubhouse. He is the pride of the Vannes club but also the model for all the young people who wear his colors.
His French XV jersey hangs in the RCV clubhouse. (Photo Vincent Le Guern)
“I can relate to himâ€
“It’s a source of inspiration, especially when you see his progress. He’s not much older than me, confides Romain Valentin, the scrum half of the U21 team, champions of Reichel Espoirs Accession this season. I love this player. He has an excellent pass, a very good kicking game, he always manages to be in support. I watch him a lot in La Rochelle. I try to take two or three little tips,” adds the 20-year-old, who arrived at the club in 2020 from Saint-Malo (35).
“It’s also a source of motivation because it proves that work pays off,” continues Arthus Marolleau, number 9 of the Crabos. He didn’t have physical superpowers when he was little, I think. He wasn’t very strong, he worked and it worked. Before I arrived in Vannes, I was already following him a lot. I watched his matches a lot, continues the 17-year-old player, originally from Tours. And there, it created a little extra bond, I can identify with him even more. HAS”
Presentation of jerseys to RCV cadets
His father, Goulven, has been part of the staff of the pro team for many years and Nolann Le Garrec, the club’s first supporter, notably made the trip to Toulouse during the RCV’s first coronation in Pro D2 in 2024.
“Each time, he was able to pay tribute to the Vannes Rugby Club,” declares Wilfrid Lahaye. This season, on the occasion of La Rochelle – Vannes in cadets (Alamercery). Nolann is injured (early December). He agreed to hand over the Vannes jerseys by saying a little word to these young Bretons. It’s nice. I think it represents Nolann and his values well. HAS”
