Top 14: the president of Castres "regrets" the departure of Urdapilleta for Clermont

In Castres since 2015, the 37-year-old Argentinian opener (20 selections) symbolized the success of the CO with, in particular, the title of champion of France in 2018. This Thursday, the Tarn club confirmed his departure, next season for Clermont . Where Benjamin Urdapilleta has officially signed up for a season (and an optional second).

A departure that the president of Castres Olympique, Pierre-Yves Revol, regrets in a press release. “We would have liked him to finish next season at CO playing but also supporting the progress of our JIFF players. He has chosen another option in another club where he can develop differently. Of course it's a regret that he doesn't finish here but that doesn't take anything away from his fabulous career. He left his mark on the club with his qualities and his mentality as a leader and a winner, this mentality that pushes him to take up an ultimate challenge. We wish him the best.”

The historic boss of the Tarn club. “We are going to prepare the sequel. The CO is a collective that must prepare the succession of all its players, including those to whom we are most attached and who are the most deserving. Some will find that we did not make enough efforts to retain him, others will say that it was necessary to prepare his succession well one day or another, that is how it is.

Pierre-Yves Revol finally talks about the future for his team, 9th in the top 14 three days before the end of the regular season (for the moment 7 points from the 6th and last qualifier, Lyon). “From now on next year we are counting on two JIFF players in this position, Louis le Brun and Pierre Popelin. Personally, it is heartbreaking to see him leave because he is an example of professionalism and a very endearing boy, but now other players will have to rise up to take over his leadership.