Marc Andreu at Le Figaro: "It would upset me to have to end my career"

How do you live this period of confinement and technical unemployment?
Marc Andreu: Containment is fine. I am one of the privileged, I have a house, a garden, healthy children. There is not too many people in my family who are affected, except for one person. But we are fine. We respect the sanitary rules seriously.

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And how do you maintain yourself physically?
Our club, like all the others, asked us to talk to each other. They delivered things to us. I was pretty well equipped since my wife is physiotherapist. But I can't quite find the motivation to do sports. I see on social networks guys who do a lot, a lot ... Me, I do a little but I have trouble finding motivation. Training alone in his corner ... I chose a collective sport to be with friends and to do sport alone, it's a little difficult for me. It’s hard to do things on your own ... Then we wait patiently to see how things will go. I am not one of the guys from Provale (the players' union) but I am active on these issues, I keep myself very informed of the progress. We are waiting ... We players have convictions. But, faced with possible economic problems, we will all be able to do something. Everyone will have to do something. And all sports are concerned…

“I had tracks but everything fell a little into the water. Even the professional projects I had with certain companies "

How do you approach a possible recovery and a hypothetical end of season?
We don't even know if we're going to resume rugby, if we're going to resume something. Without having a goal or a possible scenario, motivation does not come. Knowing that I will be disgusted if the season does not resume because I am at the end of the contract. To end my career and 15 years of rugby like that, it grieves me. Afterwards, we were in discussion so that I could continue a little but considering the economic situation ... My trainer wanted to keep me but now will it be possible? I don't know ... I had plans to be a team manager in certain clubs, but one of them called me to tell me that it was no longer possible because it had become secondary. The other club told me that it had no visibility at the moment, it's normal since we are all confined. Everything fell a little into the water. Even the professional projects I had with certain companies. We are waiting for the scenarios for the resumption of rugby, but I am just waiting for the end of the confinement so I can get back from the goals, look at what I can do. Afterwards, we're all in the same boat. I preach for my parish but that's how it is ...

Mentally isn't it too hard to see your plans fall apart?
I tell myself that if I want to continue rugby, it won't be too much of a problem. Afterwards, it is simply an economic question. If I want to continue a little longer, I will consider being paid less. But not for nothing either ... It will be necessary to make sacrifices, like the others. I don't worry too much if I have to find a club. There will be many coaches and presidents who will need a winger with some experience. And then if it does not happen, we will go on a professional project and then that's it…

“I wanted to stay in La Rochelle because Brice (Dulin) is coming. If he comes, it's largely because I brought him in. ”

Did you make a lot of contacts with other clubs after the end of your contract with La Rochelle?
I didn't want to leave to leave. I wanted to stay in La Rochelle because Brice (Dulin, from Racing 92) is coming. If he comes, it's largely because I brought him in. I had him very often on the phone and he asked me for a lot of advice. I do not want to say that it is thanks to me but, meanwhile, I sold her La Rochelle well. If he came, it was also on my advice. Above all, I imagined myself ending up with a friend with whom I had been champion the first time (in 2013 with Castres). It would have been a nice wink. It was a goal. Then I didn't want to go anywhere if it was only for one season. I wanted to find another challenge, something I hadn't done in my career. We'll see, I'm still waiting for the proposals ... Nothing is closed, but I don't want to do anything either.

Can't imagine ending your career?
I remain optimistic but if I have to end my career, I will. I will be sad but what can I do about it? Some people will lose their jobs outright, I tell myself that there is nothing we can do about it. There will be losers in this period. If I have to be part of it, it will be life ... I'm not going to complain while it's been 15 years that I do something extraordinary. You shouldn't feel sorry for yourself, even if it will upset me a little. That's the word.

“During this period, I am resting well. Mentally and physically, it feels really good. I have never known too much in my career ”

Physically and mentally, do you feel ready to play a last season?
Yes of course. It was my goal to do a final year and then stop. During this period, I rest well. Mentally and physically, it feels really good. I've never known too much in my career, apart from the two, three injuries I have had. But it never exceeded three months. I tell myself that if we resume later, I would have had a good rest period. It would be good to resume a last season in full health!

In the event of a possible resumption of the Top 14, you, the players, would need several weeks of preparation before playing again ...
At the health level, it would be complicated to make a direct attack. Health guidelines must also be followed. The virus can have sequelae, side effects. In athletes, increasing the heart rate can be dangerous. It will be necessary to pay attention to the health of the players. After three weeks of training, we don't know what can happen to some guys ... It can be very complicated for a healthy Covid-19 carrier if he starts playing block sports. In my family, someone was affected and there was great damage to the lungs ... We have to wait. If we have to resume, we will. I don't know what is the best scenario. There will be winners and losers ... You just have to stay confined and wait.

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