He was the captain of Biarritz Olympique and the forwards coach of Aviron Bayonnais.
Thomas Lièvremont, who will comment on the match (Saturday at 5.30 p.m. on Canal +), is best placed to talk about this derby which smells of powder, between the 13th of the Top 14 and the finalist of the Pro D2.
At stake: a place in the elite of rugby… and supremacy over the Basque Country.
How is this derby between Bayonne and Biarritz unique?
THOMAS LIEVREMONT.
There has never been so much at stake as in this derby.
Already, Biarritz-Bayonne is never a match like any other.
But there, given the consequences behind, it is exceptional.
How is the atmosphere in the Basque Country at the moment?
It's rising !
We talk about it a lot of course, and not just since this week.
We told ourselves that it was going to happen, that Bayonne could finish 13th and Biarritz finalist in ProD2.
And today all of rugby France is talking about it.
It's pretty hard for the actors to live with.
I prefer to be in my place than to be a player, coach or manager of one of the clubs!
Which derby has particularly marked you?
When I was captain of the BO, we had a very big team and Bayonne had just come back up.
And we lost the first derby at home in Aguiléra that we should never have lost.
That day, I realized the irrationality of this Basque derby.
I even got scared!
The impact of the derby is terrible, every day, in the street ... I saw a supporter tear his subscriber card in front of me.
The derby is incredible, I have never felt it so strongly as that day.
Who is the favorite?
On paper, Bayonne is the favorite.
It is often the Top 14 team that is the best armed.
But that's what makes the charm of these accession matches, the ProD2 team often creates the surprise, it has happened the last two years.
The handicap of ProD2 is compensated by the benefit of the terrain.
The BO has played five more games than Bayonne this season.
They seemed tired last week in the ProD2 final against Perpignan.
This is where Bayonne will lean, I think, on the physical dimension.
If they make a difference at the start, it will be hard for Biarritz.
But if the soundtrack holds up, it will play out on psychology.
The more the match advances, the more the BO will believe in it.
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Bayonne is under the most pressure ...
The Bayonnais have the most to lose.
If Biarritz goes up, that won't change much, it will be the start of trouble, but good trouble ... On the other hand, if Bayonne goes down, it will have big economic consequences, and even family.
Players will have to leave, etc.
It is a club that is being structured, with a new stadium.
The descent would have really big consequences.
This makes this derby difficult to prepare.
It's the Basque Country party, but there are really big stakes.
Hope it will remain a party.
What is your choice of heart?
I have friends in both clubs, I really know people in the staffs, in the players.
And I'm a consultant for the match, I really can't comment.
It is an agreed formula, but may the best win.
Really.
