Le Figaro - What was your background before arriving at the Stade Français?
Pierre-Henri Azagoh -
I spent six years at Rugby Melun Combs-la-Ville (77), then I went to Massy in 2017. I did two years there, then I went to Stade Français and I am now playing my third season in Paris.
I came to Stade Français because it's a partner club (
de Massy, editor's note
), but mainly because it suited me to stay in the Paris region for my university course.
A sporting choice obviously, but also personal.
Racing approached me when I was younger but not in recent years.
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What do you think is the purpose of the Stade Académie?
This academy will allow young people, like me, to be able to combine both sport and studies.
This concerns more young people in pre-training centers, so players a little younger than me.
It's done to reconcile the two, sport and studies, and succeed in getting by, so as not to think only of rugby.
It's a great initiative on the part of the club and in particular Thomas (
Lombard, editor's note
).
It's a little late for me to enjoy it now (
laughs
).
Read alsoRené Bouscatel: “The good health of professional rugby affects the XV of France”
At 23, you are still a student, but have already tasted the French team. Do you consider yourself a role model?
I do not yet consider myself a role model for these young people.
But I am available to work with them on the site, to exchange with them, to transmit to them.
I was in their place not that long ago, so I think it can be easier to trade with them.
Besides, I'm still there.
I still have my nose in books and studies so I can understand their problems on a daily basis.
“It makes me feel good to hang out with other students who don't give a damn about rugby, last weekend's score or even my performance.
»
Exactly what course are you following?
After high school and my economic and social baccalaureate, I did two years in STAPS to try to obtain a school of physio, except that my ranking was not good enough.
Finally, I reoriented myself in osteopathy and I am now in my fifth year of studies.
If all goes well, I graduate this year.
I decided on my future professional project quite early, because my parents pushed me more towards studies than rugby (
laughs
).
And then, I did not expect to experience all that in rugby!
Last January, Thomas Lombard explained on
Canal+
that it is your activities outside rugby that make you the rugby player you are today.
Do you share his words?
I totally share them.
OK, there's rugby, friends, etc., it's cool.
But it's also good to get out a bit of “this bubble” of privileged people and this sporting life.
We can thus have a little more feet on the ground, be connected to reality.
It makes me feel good to hang out with other students who don't give a damn about rugby, last weekend's score or even my performance.
It really feels good to be in contact with people who do something completely different and to keep their feet on the ground.
You have to find a way out, don't just think about rugby because, unfortunately, there are a lot of people called up and few chosen.
There are times when there are injuries, so it's difficult.
This allows you to get rid of all this frustration, all this pressure and simply see something else.
“It's always a source of pride to be called up and to go to Marcoussis, train and try to earn a place.
It's a different life from club life so it's always rewarding.
»
What are your ambitions for this end of the season?
Try to be as efficient as possible with Stade Français over the next few weeks in order to have a good end to the season.
We're still in the race to finish in the top 6. We want to try to beat Bordeaux this weekend, even though we know it's a pretty difficult task.
We can also aim for the Champions Cup (
against Racing 92 in the round of 16, editor's note
).
So we have everything to afford a good end to the season.
Read alsoGalthié after the Grand Slam: "Full of problems await the XV of France"
After two first selections last summer in Australia, you found the Blues this winter during the 6 Nations Tournament. How do you feel about it?
I was very happy to be recalled and to prepare for this match against Scotland.
It was always a source of pride to go to Marcoussis, to train and try to earn a place.
I couldn't play a 6 Nations match but it doesn't matter, it's still a goal for the future.
For this, we must continue to perform well at club level.
But this escapade in Blue remotivated me for the rest of the championship and why not try to get the tour in June (in Japan)?
At the moment, I am very focused on the club.
Like many, you were called up without playing with this XV of France, before leaving for a club. How do we manage this?
I handle this situation pretty well.
I'm lucky to live in the Paris region, so the round trip is done rather quickly unlike others (
laughs
).
But it's still a fun time.
To be able to respond favorably to the coach, to return to Marcoussis, to learn and reproduce that at the weekend with the Stade Français.
It's a different life from club life, so it's always rewarding to go to Marcoussis.
How do you qualify the performance of your teammates who achieved the Grand Slam, twelve years after the last victory in the Tournament?
Simply outstanding and amazing.
Despite everything, we remain supporters of the France team and they thrilled us on Saturday.
Well done !
And my congratulations to them.
