USA Program and President François Rivière put the small dishes into the big For the official announcement of the installation of Portugal in Perpignan during the Rugby World Cup. The Mayor of Perpignan, the Head of the Department, the Head of the Urban Community and the Head of Sports of the Region were at his side to welcome the General Manager of the World Cup Julien Collet as well as the coach of Portugal Patrice Lajesquet.
From August, the Portuguese selectors will take advantage of the USAP facilities at the Sports Park and will stay at the Villa Duflot Hotel. “It is exceptional, never in this region has a country hosted a World CupWelcome to François Rivière, Three years of effort to convince the Rugby World Cup that Perpignan can and should play among the greats. We will now see with Patrice Lagisquet how to distribute the facilities, either the USAP will be returned to Aimé-Giral or we will make sure that there are compatible calendars. But, the interesting thing is that there is opposition between USAP and Portugal. “
A third country settles in Occitania
The Portuguese delegation had visited the facilities in Carcassonne, Narbonne and Perpignan. The choice fell on the Catalan facilities. Therefore, the USAP Training Center will feature Portuguese colours, facilities that have been at the center of discussions for years. It will be revised a bit for Portugal’s arrival, while you wait for something better: “You will have ads in a few days(Editor’s note: January 17) About these things that will change both training and everything that is about USAP in general. The facilities will be improved as a minimum this year with the arrival of Portugal. “
Thus, the Portuguese community and the world of rugby amateurs will be able to meet and discuss with the Portuguese national teaml: A team made up of amateur and professional players who play in France.
Animation will appear. In any case, coach Patrice Lajesquet clearly wants to open up to the public: “We will definitely be asked to take part in some events and hold trainings that are open to the public. We would help ourselves to the game, and it would be sad if we didn’t. We must take advantage of this event to continue promoting rugby. We will not hide like the pro soccer stars. “
Portugal is the third country to settle in the Occitanie region after that Japan in Toulouse and Samoa in Montpellier. “Want us to experience this event in the greater region, We will organize events in the cities with our great players,” commented Regional Sports Director Kamel Chebli*. The idea is to launch a major regional tour starting in March.”
The idea would also be to have a match between Portugal and Japan or Samoa at Aimee Giral during the World Cup. In group matches, the Portuguese will face Wales, Georgia, Australia and Fiji.
© Radio France
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Cyril Manner
