He was one of the strong men of the Corrèze first line. Announced since winter, Thomas Acquier will leave his traveling companions at the end of the season to join Bayonne. He has 80 minutes left to play…if he recovers from his injury. “I made a small tear in my thigh at the Soustons internship” explains the experienced hooker. “I am in the rehabilitation phase to try to come back next week, but nothing is certain” emphasizes the cautious rugby player.
Eight seasons and a climb to the Top 14 later…
In fact, the celebration organized by the club at the end of the meeting against Toulouse was not as joyful as announced. “I was very disappointed not to play the match. In addition, we lost it… I had a hard time enjoying it. But the tribute on the pitch and especially in the locker room was very important for the starters. It’s still a good time” says the hooker.
Eight seasons with Brive, it does not escape like that. Thomas Acquier remembers the young man he was when he arrived in Corrèze. “I was 24, I discovered the high level in Brive and thanks to Brive” esteem the player. “I am aware of the luck I had, positive emotions like this 2015 match against Stade Français, or the access match… there were a lot of things that happened. _I will keep a lifetime attachment with this club_“ smiles the hooker, moved by the evocation of these memories.
“It’s not the end of my story with this city”.
But, you have to quickly refocus. Because with three wasted match points, Brive has only one way to validate its maintenance: to win against Stade Français, while the last away victory dates from January 2021. “We’ve been in a situation for a lot of games where we can’t achieve by scoring the points or the points we’re missing. The guys will try to work physically and tactically this week. But, it’s ok. especially to play psychologically” explains the experienced player. Serenity must be there. “We will have to rely on the changing room and game leaders. Even if Saïd will be missed, that does not mean that he is absent from the group. Today the future of the club and many players is at stake. You have to manage to find the psychological springs” to tackle this game.
An eye on the final stages of Pro D2, but the head with Brive
Thomas Acquier smiles at the evocation of his life in Corrèze: “I got married here, I was a father here, my daughter is Corézienne in Brive. This is not the end of my story with this city”. Even if he will join Bayonne next year. “For the moment, I have absolutely not projected myself on Bayonne for the moment” confesses the player, who first wants to focus on Brive. Even if on Sunday, he will be, like other rugby enthusiasts, in front of the TV. “Of course I will watch the semi-finals on Sunday, but I signed to play in Pro D2 as in the Top 14. Everyone has their season to finish. I am under contract until June 30, so I will be mobilized until at the end for Brive” seriously explains the native of Béziers. He now simply hopes to be delivered to go to Paris on June 5.