Among all the Bayonne players to be chosen for the match sheet, Gaëtan Germain must probably be one of the first names put on paper by the Aviron Bayonnais staff. Imperial against the poles, sure under high balls, and sharp in the line of attack, the back of Bayonne signs a remarkable end to the season. He who extended his adventure on the edge of Nive by a year, will experience his first career final at the age of 31 this Sunday, June 5. Facing Mont-de-Marsan, for the title of French Pro D2 champion, and a ticket for the Top 14.
“80 minutes from happiness”
Best director of the Top 14 in 2013-2014 with Brive (299 points), it is more than a decade of regularity at the highest level, which he sees rewarded with a selection among the Barbarians, in 2015. But as surprising as it may seem, never with the XV of France, Gaëtan Germain has never experienced the splendor of a national title, quite the contrary, recalls the rear Sky and White. “All my career, I played a lot of maintenance. There, we are no longer in the Top 14, these are my first final stages, and it would be cool to bring back a title.“If there is a title for Bayonne, it would indeed be a great story for Gaëtan Germain, who has had three runs in four years (Brive in 2018, Grenoble in 2019 and Bayonne in 2021).We are 80 minutes from happiness, but there is still an obstacle ahead of us.”
An obstacle named Mont-de-Marsan
This obstacle is Mont-de-Marsan. Leader of the regular phase, it is the only team that Bayonne has not beaten this season. “It’s true that we had learned a lesson in the first leg, we had missed it a bit. In the second game, unfortunately we didn’t miss him much but we didn’t perform well either, remembers the native of Drôme. After that, it’s still a final…“
Final in which he should have his say. With 283 points this season, and 9 tries, all scored since February 25 and the reception of Colomiers, Gaëtan Germain is a safe bet for this end of the year. He could well have the victory at the end of his foot this Sunday… as Martin Bustos Moyano had had it before him three years ago, during the victory against Brive at the Stade du Hameau (21-19) on May 18 2019.