It’s official since Wednesday: Thomas Acquier will no longer be a Brivist next year. At 32, the CAB hooker has decided to give himself a new challenge by joining Bayonne next year. The Basque club has, moreover, already attracted Maxime Machenaud, opener of Racing 92, as well as the native of Pau Bastien Pourailly, who was playing this season at ASM Clermont.
Objective: relive the accession to the Top 14 and more if …
In the Essenciel magazine published on Twitter, Thomas Acquier comments on his arrival: “I have often crossed Bayonne and I have often been captivated by this opponent. It is a historic club that provokes unmatched popular fervor in France.. I was attracted by the sporting project and the vision of this magnificent stadium which will rise from the ground. ”
That’s not all. Currently 3rd in Pro D2, with an enhanced victory over leader Mont-de-Marsan, Bayonne is in a good position to hope to climb back into the elite of rugby. Anyway, the experienced Thomas Acquier (98 matches in Top 14, 106 in Pro D2) admits to having the desire for an adrenaline shot, as he was able to experience with Brive during the accession in 2019.
“The Top 14 is a dream and if Rowing does not come back this season, I think there will be an armed team to do it in 2023 and live the accession which remains an unforgettable memory. But I am optimistic. The present project seems very successful ”
Who is at the heel of the CAB next year?
For Brive, this departure means that the hooker position will be one of the projects: the CAB nevertheless took the lead by signing its nugget Vano Karkadze until 2025. As for the Fijian Peniami Narisia, still injured, Racing 92 would covet him according to information from the Midi Olympique, even if nothing has yet been formalized by the clubs. Florian Dufour is also at the end of his contract.