An icon will leave Clermont.
Morgan Parra has just announced that at 33 he will be leaving ASM - where he has played since 2009 and with whom he lifted two Brennus in 2010 and 2017 - at the end of the season.
A small earthquake for the supporters of the Yellow Army who surely imagined that he would end his career in Auvergne.
“
It is the fruit of a long reflection but the final decision dates from two short weeks, he confided Tuesday in the columns of La Montagne.
For a month and the ASM proposal in my hands, there have been times when I wanted to stay, other times it was different.
The facility would also have been to extend.
I probably wanted to put myself in danger by going to take on another challenge.
"
To discover
Calendar and results Top 14
Ranking Top 14
Read alsoTop 14: a world champion arrives at Racing 92
Alongside the totemic Aurélien Rougerie, Morgan Parra immediately established himself as the boss of ASM, determining during the quest for the two French championship titles (the first in his first season) and essential in the Auvergne locker room.
The former international tricolor (71 selections in 2008 and 2019) nevertheless wanted to clarify that he does not leave the ASM on bad terms.
“
I'm not leaving at the end of the season because of a disagreement over my contract.
The club offered me two years and a retraining in sports management.
There was no question of money in my reflection,
"he confirms in La Montagne, adding that this choice"
had nothing to do with the arrival of Jono Gibbes
", the new manager of the club, arrived from La Rochelle, which succeeded Franck Azéma at the start of the season, of which he was deputy (2014-2017).
Afterwards, the grass may not be greener elsewhere
Morgan parra
For the Auvergne club, sporting a retreat in recent seasons, it is a heavy loss. Especially since it will be necessary to completely rethink the hinge of the club since the opener Camille Lopez will also leave and join, according to Sud Radio, Aviron Bayonnais (rather than Biarritz Olympique). ASM, which will be able to count on the former Toulousain Sébastien Bézy in the fray, will nevertheless have to rebuild and rethink its workforce. And, in
L'Équipe
, Parra recalls that Clermont has "also Kevin Viallard and little
(Baptiste)
Jauneau who has just arrived". And to add: "
I am in the transmission, I help them if they need me, if they ask me, with pleasure! And I'm not worried about ASM,
which will always be a great club. "
Toulon, Toulouse and Paris interested
What then for Morgan Parra to fall back on?
Several leading teams would like to enlist him for the last challenge of his rich career, including Stade Toulousain, Rugby Club Toulonnais or Stade Français Paris.
But for now, nothing is done.
“
I have nothing to say about it.
I study everything.
We forget one ... If it happens, it's Bourgoin-Jallieu!
", He jokes, referring to the club of its professional beginnings (2006-2009).
Positive for Covid-19 in early October 2019, the international number 9 had been severely affected by the virus and long removed from the field, before returning to its best level. Proof that he has not lost any of his efficiency, he had recently set a new record in the Top 14 by hitting 48 kicks in a row. By leaving his comfort zone, will he be able to quickly find his feet in a new club? "
Afterwards, the grass will perhaps not be greener elsewhere
", he concedes, looking for a "
last opportunity to know and experience another rugby, a different functioning
". Strong character and formidable leader of men, the one who had been nicknamed "
the shit
" in his beginnings then "
the bramble
Is never as strong as in adversity.
