This is the story of a stubborn club, of bloody-minded Bretons who never let go. Rennes Etudiants Club Rugby, founded in 1961. Nationale 2 champions, safety secured in Nationale. Hats off, Breton style.

We are talking about a club that fights, which is only normal in a combat sport. And that wins: Nationale 2 champions, safety secured on the pitch after the victory over Marcq-en-Baroeul, regardless of the insolvencies of Tarbes and Niort.

An inclusive, community-minded club (a Midi Olympique and TotalEnergies Oscar in April 2025), the smallest budget in the  division. Small but tough, like their coach Kevin Courties, as driven as their director Jorge Gonzalez.

An old-school velodrome ground, Comment Bougouin, wonderful volunteers, a terrific and respectful announcer (those famous Breton “shhh!” calls when the home side or the opposition line up a kick — hats off, Breton style, it isn’t only in Vannes or in Ireland, honestly it is brilliant). 

So what’s the secret? There isn’t one. The dual project, the naked truth, players who sign and bleed themselves dry for a  life-project pact. Alexandre Fau, the hooker, is about to play his last match at “Bougouin”, the velodrome; Cavalière, who is signing for Mont-de-Marsan, will never forget Rennes; Yameogo, off to Albi, has become a Breton for life. 

And Ryan Dubois won’t say otherwise: “Being an ambassador for the region, yes, that’s it. You’re not necessarily aware of it at the start, when you arrive at a club, a new region, coming from La Rochelle. You don’t necessarily realise it at first and then gradually you do, you become more and more aware of it, it evolves. And then defending those colours, it inevitably gives things another dimension.”

A 2 million budget, the lowest in  the division, a ground ineligible for Pro D2, some  old chestnuts, internal squabbles like so many stones  in a rucksack, and still the REC moves forward, again and again. A Breton is such a stubborn thing. So imagine 15 of them in front of you! (yes, I love Brittany and its rugby).