It will be a funny match this Friday, January 28 for the captain of Nevers. Thomas Ceyte’s USON receives Aviron Bayonnais (8:45 p.m.), a club that the second row will join next season. For the first time, the former Dacquois, who will soon be celebrating his 30th birthday, explained to France Bleu Pays Basque, in 100% rugby, how his choice was made and the contacts with the skies and white.
France Bleu Pays Basque: How was this signature made?
Thomas Ceyte : It happened naturally. I was looking to get back into trouble a bit, I’ve been in Nevers for 5 years. I wanted to see a little something else and try to have a big project to get into the Top 14. When Bayonne showed up, I cut short any other discussion with other clubs. This is where I wanted to go, so it was done pretty quickly. I was not boring, I really wanted to sign for Bayonne. In addition, behind there are the signings of Machenaud and Lopez which have been announced, so all the more happy to have signed in Bayonne. Now, I hope we will have a good team next year and if possible in the Top 14.
When Bayonne showed up, I cut any further discussion short.
You say that Bayonne was the obvious choice, but it’s not just for the sporting challenge…
That’s all, it’s a region, it’s an emblematic club of French rugby. When I had my agent who offered me in Bayonne and Bayonne was interested, when I had Grégory Patat on the phone who told me a bit about what he wanted to put in place, the project and everything what is linked to Rowing, it spoke to me right away. And even as a rugby supporter, when you’re someone who loves rugby, you’re going to play in Bayonne. That’s what I said to the president of Nevers when I told him that I was in contact with Bayonne, I told him someone who likes rugby goes to Bayonne.
It’s perfect for me
I am very, very happy to sign for Bayonne. When I told my partner at the start of the season that I was at the end of my contract, she asked me, laughing “where do you want to go ?” I told him : “Ideally it would be in the Top 14, but if I can find a club with a huge project, rather in the South West like Bayonne, that would suit me very well.” And when I saw Bayonne, it was perfect, perfect for me.
You almost had a blow in the first leg (draw in Bayonne, editor’s note). How do you plan to approach this reception of the Bayonnais, who will also be upset by this defeat against Grenoble?
VSHe’s an injured beast, so we’re expecting a very complicated match. We know that Bayonne missed out on its match against Grenoble. But we know it’s a very big team, there’s stuff in every line. It’s a team that is looking for itself a bit at the moment. I don’t really know what is going on internally there, but we on our side are expecting a very big match. We want to keep our invincibility at home. It’s a team that moves very, very well. I think they are the team that has won the most away from home, so we know what awaits us, we know that they will be revengeful. It’s up to us to prepare well to try to keep our stadium inviolate.
Nevers – Bayonne is to live Friday evening in full on France Bleu Pays Basque