It was with shock and emotion that US Dax learned of the sudden, accidental death of Jean-Louis Bérot on Tuesday morning at the age of 78. The former scrum-half, fly-half and wing is thought to have fallen from his pigeon-hunting hide in the commune of Saint-Laurent-de-Gosse, in the Landes, reports Ici Gascogne.

“Throughout his career as a player, an administrator and a president, Jean-Louis was a faithful representative of the values of US Dax: passion, solidarity and respect. US Dax offers its most sincere condolences to his family, to those close to him, and to all those who spent time with him on the pitch and off it”, the club said in tribute.

A tribute to be paid

A native of the spa town, he was capped 21 times by France between 1968 and 1974. In his final cap, Bérot landed a winning penalty against Ireland before being frozen out by the French staff. He also played 11 seasons with Stade Toulousain. Grandson of a fishmonger, nephew of another Dax rugby man in the 1940s and son of shopkeepers – in a fishing and hunting shop, you could not make it up – the former international went on to build up the Thermes Bérot, a well-regarded establishment.

USD also announced that a tribute will be observed in his memory on Thursday 2 October at 9pm at the Stade Maurice Boyau, an arena where he often shone through his class, his talent and above all his humility.