Daughter of former flanker called up for French U18 women’s team
Sarah Pégouri, daughter of former Groupe Sportif Figeacois flanker Pascal, has been called up to the French U18 women’s team for the Six Nations Tournament. Her first experience wearing the blue jersey has been intense and remarkable. She opens up about it.
In Figeac, some paths seem to be written in the DNA of the territory. Sarah Pégouri’s is a perfect illustration of this. Her father, Pascal, a former flanker of GSF (Groupe Sportif Figeacois), proudly represented the colors of Lot rugby and left a mark on an entire generation before hanging up his boots a few years ago. Now, it’s his daughter Sarah who is taking the lead and shining for the territory all the way to the French national team.
Selected to compete in the Women’s U18 Six Nations Tournament, the young Figeac native has taken a major step forward by experiencing the highest level. An experience as intense as it is remarkable: “I’m still on cloud nine. It’s incredible to live, we don’t really realize it. Singing the French national anthem, with my family in the stands… it moved me a lot,” she recounts. Powerful moments, shared with her loved ones who came to support her in England, that will forever remain ingrained in her.
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“Everything is much faster. The runs, the passes, the decisions…”
The turning point came gradually, during the gathering in Marcoussis. “That’s where I understood. Then on the plane to England… I realized that I really had a foot in the French team.” A progressive realization for someone who discovered an environment of total demand.
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On the field, Sarah has found her place in a highly competitive French collective. Loyal to her flanker position, she has stood out in a combat role: tackles, ball turnovers, presence in ruck zones. A role often discreet but essential in the balance of a team. “Everything is much faster. The runs, the passes, the decisions… there are fewer mistakes and much more intensity.” Against Ireland, Italy, England, and Wales, she has experienced the physical and technical demands of international level. “The match against Wales was really tough, it hit hard,” acknowledges the young woman.
True to blue, the young woman doesn’t forget her Lot roots
Her journey is all the more remarkable. Arriving relatively late in rugby, following in the footsteps of her older sister Héloïse, she has climbed the ranks at great speed. “Initially, reaching the high level wasn’t necessarily a goal. But at each stage, I wanted to go further,” smiles Sarah. Trained at GSF, passing through the Espoirs pole and then Blagnac, she embodies the success of solid training and constant work. Despite this rapid ascent, the young player keeps a level head. “I mainly remember the work done, but also everything that still needs to be done. We must continue to learn and progress,” she affirms. Currently in her final year of high school, she aims to balance studies and high-level rugby with seriousness and determination.
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Very attached to Figeac and her training club, Sarah does not forget her roots. This first experience wearing the national blue jersey is an important step, but certainly not a finality. Following in her father’s footsteps, she is now writing her own story. And given her commitment and progress, the adventure is surely only just beginning.
