What do farm life and rugby have in common?
Work.
Self-denial.
Courage.
In the field or on her parents' farm, Clara Joyeux, pillar of the French women's team, ardently defends these values.
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Holder of a federal contract with the FFR, the 24-year-old young woman spends 75% of her time on the meadow, 25% nose in her lavender.
“
There are girls who do nothing on the side.
For me, it's a choice.
The fact of working allows me to think of something other than rugby.
But sometimes the days are a bit long
, ”says the player from Blagnac in Elite 1.
However, this project, developed in parallel with the breeding of pigs and ducks of her parents, she would not stop it for anything in the world.
Because it's his.
Matured since his time at the Vaseix agricultural high school near Limoges, where Agathe Sochat and Pauline Bourdon, players of the XV of France, also studied.
“
She wanted to continue the family tradition.
She topped it off with lavender.
She got there, it's a great accomplishment
, ”says Laura, a friend with whom she shared her room during her three years of internship.
However, despite his repeated absences, there is no question of burdening his parents' days.
“
Right now, there is just watering.
But I try to take care of them 100% so as not to add work to them
”, laughs Clara Joyeux.
Read alsoLes Bleues successfully enter the Six Nations Tournament against Italy
In addition to refining her professional course, this passage to Vaseix will also have allowed her to flourish in terms of rugby, where the Blagnacaise evolved within the sports section, in parallel with her club, USA Limoges.
“
Clara is a discreet girl.
But she knows what she wants.
On Wednesday, she went to train at USAL, and behind her continued with us
, ”recalls her teacher and section coach at the time, Jean-Baptiste Lecouturier.
I ask her if she wants to go back when her nose is loose.
She looks me in the eyes and says 'Of course JB'.
Jean-Baptiste Lecouturier, former teacher of Clara Joyeux
There, she will even experience her first success, becoming champion of France in agricultural high schools with her comrades, in rugby sevens.
"
That day, we play Nancy and my colleague across the way says to me 'Take
it easy, you are stronger than us
'.
After two minutes, I have two players who come out with broken noses, including Clara.
We are led 4-1 at the break,
rewinds Jean-Baptiste Lecouturier
.
At halftime, I ask her if she wants to go back when her nose is loose.
She looks me in the eyes and says 'Of course JB'.
Behind, she does a crazy half-time and we win the match.
»
In 2016, still on the benches of her agricultural high school, the Lotoise will also experience her first summons with the U20s for an internship at the National Rugby Center.
A moment full of emotions.
“
She was expecting this call.
Initially, she made us believe that she was not taken, before telling us the truth,
remembers her friend Laura
.
We all jumped into his arms.
She was proud, she had tears in her eyes.
Tears of joy, as a reward for the sacrifices made.
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A meteoric rise
Behind everything is linked for the French.
In 2017, her first selection with the U20s, when she only plays in the third division, and a summons with the A for a preparation course for the World Cup.
Then his arrival in Blagnac, in Elite.
In 2018, the signing of his federal contract.
Finally, on February 2, 2019, his first senior selection against Wales for the Six Nations Tournament, at only 19 years old.
Holder at each meeting during the competition, Clara Joyeux quickly becomes essential in the tricolor fray.
Sign of a meteoric rise, the fruit of hard work.
Well established in the tricolor pack, the pillar made its power speak on the first French test last weekend against Italy, at the opening of the Six Nations Tournament.
With three opponents on her back, Clara Joyeux gained precious meters to allow her teammates to flatten near the poles.
Despite this great victory, the Lotoise is not entirely satisfied.
“
We came away frustrated from this game, but we have to keep in mind that we won.
There are things to keep and others to throw away
, ”she says.
Faced with Ireland, this Saturday, in a tougher match, the XV of France will once again be able to count on the unfailing determination of its pillar to "
go to war
".
And, perhaps, follow in the footsteps of the boys aiming for a Grand Slam.
