Jérôme Rey is a hard worker. He never gave up. At 18, he created his farm by the sweat of his brow in Saint-Vital in the Tarentaise valley. At 26, he pushes the doors of the French rugby team which enters its Six Nations Tournament this Sunday against Italy. Passed by the clubs of Chambéry or even younger Grenoble, it is a first for the pillar of the LOU who is an exception in the Top 14. Owner of a farm and professional rugby player, it retains a multi-activity that is not always easy to manage on a daily basis. France Bleu Pays de Savoie exchanged with the native of Albertville.
If we can win the tournament, it’s this year – Jérôme Rey
Did you expect this summons with the Blues?
Jerome Rey: “So there, no! It’s a surprise, I didn’t think I would be followed so closely by the XV of France. It’s a magic call that we answer right away. I didn’t expect it, it’s quite unbelievable when you know where I come from. But now, telling me that in addition to rugby with a farm of 100 animals and 70 hectares, I will manage to be called up, it’s crazy!”
You have already stood out in the French team….
JR: “In a good way yes! We were talking about this and that’s where I talked a bit about my business. And there they challenged me a bit, they didn’t know if my meat was good or not. We shook hands and I put the bet. We brought meat from my house. We made a giant meal with ribs of beef from my farm (laughs), it’s unifying, it was great!”
How do you manage the life of a rugby player and a farmer at the same time?
J.R. “You have to go back to the beginning to understand. When you’re young, you play rugby with your friends and you don’t believe in the professional world because the funnel is getting tighter and tighter. At 18, I finish my studies and I’m starting I’m starting on my farm Except that six months later, I have my first professional contract. Except that the company was already created and I had already sweated a lot on it. I had always told my wife that when I reach a high level, I will stop. In fact, I have constantly held both and until now, with the French team. Now, I have two more employees and the family is behind to help me.”
A pride for Savoy?
J.R. “Yes, of course. It’s true that I have a somewhat atypical career path, unlike other young people, before getting there, I spent 5-6 clubs to always reach the highest level ( Bourgoin, Chambéry, Grenoble …). But it’s true that on our way, we met a lot of people and it’s the pride of a department, of a committee.”
How do you approach the Six Nations Tournament?
J.R. “Now that we have set foot in it, we are awaiting the first selection. With humility of course, but I will do everything for it. But I think that we will have to be wary of all the matches that will be played, but if we can do it, it will be this year.”