Reactions
Michel Couturas (former coach of the great CSBJ team): “I’m in shock, it’s complicated to talk,” says his former coach, who is struggling to find the words. I spoke to Valérie, his wife, on the phone, it was a tragedy because he was young. With Marc (Cécillon), Gilles was the guy I relied on to build something great in Bourgoin, helped by a formidable generation of leaders with the Aubins, the Marchands, the Berchemins… who did everything so these guys can express themselves at the highest level. But it was a little too late. Like Gilles who did not have the recognition of the selection even though he was, in my opinion, the best center of the time, the archetype of the modern three-quarter center. He was forgotten. As such, I regret not having had him five or six years earlier, he could have been international. Now the man has not taken offense, being satisfied with having shaped this three-quarter line which counted for the French team with Stéphane Glas, whom he took under wing and helped to grow, David Venditti or Laurent Leflammand. Since then, we have formed very strong bonds which have lasted. 15 days ago I was in contact with him to help me get tickets for the LOU match. That was Gilles. This is why, today, Bourgoin’s entire family is in mourning. »
Julien Bonnaire (ex-3e line of the CSBJ and the French team): “This is very sad news…I think above all of his wife and his two daughters. Gilles is someone I appreciated, a bon vivant, he will leave a big void. Life is cruel. He is someone who worked a lot for rugby in our region and who was appreciated by everyone, we wrote to each other regularly, he spoke to me about the results of the Saint-Savin club… I remember him as a player , he was part of this great team that I went to see at the Pierre-Rajon stadium when I was young. He was a very strong center and then a very strong fly-half, very solid in defense, one of the first at the time to have played in these positions with such a size. »
Stéphane Glas (former CSBJ center): “I am knocked out, shocked by the news (of the death of Gilles Cassagne). Of course, Gilbert Brunat left us a few years ago (November 16, 2019), but from the great era of the CSBJ, from the three finals of 97, he is the first to leave. Gilles is someone I followed as a kid, from the stands at Rajon, who inspired me because we played the same position (three-quarter center). And afterwards I was happy and proud to play with him, we became friends. Today, I am in shock. »
Dominique Mazille (former FCG and CSBJ scrum half): “When the phone rings around midnight, it’s never for good news. And it was Stéphane (Glas) who announced to me the death of Gilles. It’s all the more of a shock since he was in great shape. Gilles, we were adversaries before being partners, and the FCG – CSBJ, it was I love you neither… Also, when I signed in 93 with Bourgoin, with Gilbert (Brunat), I didn’t know not sure how it was going to go. But the club welcomed us very well, and Gilles first of all because he is a kind person. It immediately worked between us and I had the chance to play five years with him. I say luck because on the pitch, he was both a smart guy, and it was not for nothing that he was nicknamed the “fox”. He had a significantly above average rugby IQ. And outside he was always overflowing with optimism. Something essential for the team, especially when you occupy a position of responsibility, like when he replaced Patrice Favre at the opening for the good of the club. I rarely saw him get angry when he spoke, everyone listened to him… And then Gilles was rugby, that of another era where the 3e halftime was as important as the first two! It was a party, everything that makes the oval an institution. And he continued to serve rugby as Director of the ARA League. Four years after the departure of Gilbert (Brunat), I unfortunately realize today that we do not see each other enough. We have to take advantage of each other…”
Alain Lorieux (former opponent of FCG): “We were initially adversaries and Cassagne was a “log”, the incarnation of power. It was the prototype of the technical-physical center as they called it at the time. A beef that gave the impression that nothing could happen to him. In fact, he played like a forward, he hurt on impact and I know what I’m talking about. We met in the selection and I discovered someone affable, deeply kind. One of those guys from Nord-Isère, from the big Berjallie family: solid, tough and faithful. A person I always had the pleasure of meeting. »
Yves Théron (former 2e CSBJ line): “It’s terrible, brutal, incredibly violent. We saw each other again 15 days ago. I’m still having trouble realizing it. Gilles, for my entire generation, was our Saint Bernard. On and off the field. On the meadow, he was a rock, never injured. He was the one who distributed the game and found a solution when we were lost… In the locker room, where in our time we asked ourselves a lot of questions, he was a unifier, the person who reassured us. He told us “it’s just a rugby match and as long as we’re all together, nothing can happen to us!” » And afterwards, when there was something to organize, he took care of everything, he took it head on, without ever asking anyone for anything. He was someone of exceptional generosity, never one to complain. He was our guide. »
Thierry Tonnelier (AuRA Rugby League, president) : “We are not losing a CEO, but a friend. He was a mad lover of rugby and a beautiful person. All league employees are devastated, the news spread very quickly. With Gilles, we had worked together for several years. He was our general manager for six years. He set up, with Nathalie Janvier, the AuRA Tour project. And then we worked for two and a half years on the Rugby World Cup project in the region. He often came with me on Sundays to club meetings. He didn’t count his time. He did everything to develop rugby everywhere. Every rugby fan in the area knew Giles. »
Philippe Niogret (AuRA Rugby League, member of the steering committee) : “It’s a surprise for everyone. I met him during a recent FCG match, against Montauban, at the Stade des Alpes (October 19). Gilles was a good guy, of remarkable quality. A nice and very simple guy. He breathed rugby through and through. Everyone appreciated him in the world of rugby. Today, we are all sad and unhappy. »
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