Aviron Bayonnais
Encyclopedia
Aviron Bayonnais is a French rugby union
club from Bayonne
(Baiona, in Basque) in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
that currently competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition. In their most recent season in 2010–11
they finished 7th, whilst in the previous season they finished in a relegation
spot, but they were spared the drop because of the bankruptcy filing of 12th-place finisher Montauban
.
Founded in 1904, they play at the Parc des Sports also known as Jean Dauger in Bayonne. Their mascot is a pottok
pony called pottoka. They have ties to the French Basque community
.
during World War I. The competition was played for four seasons, with Aviron Bayonnais contesting the last final, which they lost to Stadoceste Tarbais 4 to 3.
With the French championship resumed, the club made their next championship game in the 1922 season where they met Toulouse
. Aviron Bayonnais lost the final 6 to nil. The two clubs would meet again the next season to again contest the championship final, which Toulouse won again, 3 to nil.
Aviron Bayonnais enjoyed success during the mid-1930s, defeating Biarritz
13 to 8 in Toulouse to win their second championship, and first since 1913. They also won the Challenge Yves du Manoir
in 1936, defeating Perpignan
in the final. The club saw similar results during the mid-1940s as well, with two championship final appearances; defeating SU Agen in the 1943 final at Parc des Princes
in Paris and losing the 1944 season final to Perpignan.
Since the 1940s the club did not find a lot of success over the coming years, as they would have to wait until the 1980s until they would again reach any of the championship finals. In 1980 they contested the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir, defeating AS Béziers 16 to 10 to gain their second title of that competition. They made it to the final of the 1982 season, although they were defeated by SU Agen, 18 to 9.
(from
Hurricanes) Mark Chisholm
(from
Brumbies) Sione Lauaki
(from
Clermont Auvergne
) Joe Rokocoko (from Blues) Marvin O'Connor (from Grenoble
) Cédric Heymans
(from Toulouse
) Mike Phillips
(from
Ospreys) Victor Manukula (from Aurillac
)
Montpellier
) Jean-Baptiste Peyras (to Montpellier
) Arnaud Héguy
(to Biarritz
) Sébastien Fauqué
(to La Rochelle
) Joe Pietersen
(to
Stormers
)
Henri Béhotéguy Christian Belascain Eugène Billac Maurice Celhay Jean Dauger Pierre Dospital Richard Dourthe
Bernard Duprat Fernand Forgues Jean-Michel Gonzalez
Jean Iraçabal Louis Junquas Paul Labadie Patrice Lagisquet
Daniel Larrechea Félix Lasserre Christophe Lamaison
James McLaren
Christian Magnanou Rémy Martin Wataru Murata Laurent Pardo Patrick Perrier Roland Pétrissans Jacques Rollet Jean-Marie Usandisaga
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club from Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
(Baiona, in Basque) in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Pyrénées-Atlantiques is a department in the southwest of France which takes its name from the Pyrenees mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.- History :...
that currently competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition. In their most recent season in 2010–11
2010–11 Top 14 season
The 2010–11 Top 14 competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby . Home-and-away play began on August 13, 2010 and continued through April 2011. The regular season was followed by a three-round playoff starting in May that involved the top...
they finished 7th, whilst in the previous season they finished in a relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
spot, but they were spared the drop because of the bankruptcy filing of 12th-place finisher Montauban
US Montauban
US Montauban were a French rugby union club, which competed in the Top 14 competition between 2007 and 2010, after being promoted from Rugby Pro D2 for the 2006-07 season...
.
Founded in 1904, they play at the Parc des Sports also known as Jean Dauger in Bayonne. Their mascot is a pottok
Pottok
The Pottok or Pottoka , is an endangered, semi-feral breed of pony native to the Pyrenees of the Basque Country in France and Spain.It is considered an ancient breed of horse, particularly well adapted to the harsh mountain areas it traditionally inhabits.Once common, it is endangered through...
pony called pottoka. They have ties to the French Basque community
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
.
History
The club was established in 1904, making their first final appearance in the 1913 season, where they defated S.C.U.F. 31-8 at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. The national domestic championship was replaced by the Coupe de l'EspéranceCoupe de l'Espérance
The Coupe de l'Espérance was a rugby union competition that was played in France to replace the national championship during World War I, as many players were sent to the front. The teams used mostly young boys who had not been drafted yet. The cup was awarded only four times and does not count as...
during World War I. The competition was played for four seasons, with Aviron Bayonnais contesting the last final, which they lost to Stadoceste Tarbais 4 to 3.
With the French championship resumed, the club made their next championship game in the 1922 season where they met Toulouse
Stade Toulousain
Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps...
. Aviron Bayonnais lost the final 6 to nil. The two clubs would meet again the next season to again contest the championship final, which Toulouse won again, 3 to nil.
Aviron Bayonnais enjoyed success during the mid-1930s, defeating Biarritz
Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
13 to 8 in Toulouse to win their second championship, and first since 1913. They also won the Challenge Yves du Manoir
Challenge Yves du Manoir
The Challenge Yves du Manoir was a rugby union club competition that was played in France between 1931 and 2003 under different names. It is named after former player Yves du Manoir.-History:...
in 1936, defeating Perpignan
USA Perpignan
Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French...
in the final. The club saw similar results during the mid-1940s as well, with two championship final appearances; defeating SU Agen in the 1943 final at Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...
in Paris and losing the 1944 season final to Perpignan.
Since the 1940s the club did not find a lot of success over the coming years, as they would have to wait until the 1980s until they would again reach any of the championship finals. In 1980 they contested the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir, defeating AS Béziers 16 to 10 to gain their second title of that competition. They made it to the final of the 1982 season, although they were defeated by SU Agen, 18 to 9.
Honours
- French championship:
- Champions: 1913, 1934 and 1943
- Finalist: 1922, 1923, 1944 and 1982
- Challenge Yves du ManoirChallenge Yves du ManoirThe Challenge Yves du Manoir was a rugby union club competition that was played in France between 1931 and 2003 under different names. It is named after former player Yves du Manoir.-History:...
:- Champions: 1936 and 1980
- Coupe de l'EspéranceCoupe de l'EspéranceThe Coupe de l'Espérance was a rugby union competition that was played in France to replace the national championship during World War I, as many players were sent to the front. The teams used mostly young boys who had not been drafted yet. The cup was awarded only four times and does not count as...
:- Champions: 1919
- Coupe André Moga:
- Champions: 1995
French championship
| Date | Champions | Runners-up | Score | Venue | Spectateurs |
| 20 April 1913 | Aviron Bayonnais | S.C.U.F. | 31-8 | Stade Yves-du-Manoir Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir The Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir - stadium in Colombes, near Paris, France . Named in memory of French rugby player Yves du Manoir in 1928. Was the main stadium for the 1924 Summer Olympics and had a capacity of 45,000 at the time... , Colombes Colombes Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes .... |
20.000 |
| 23 April 1922 | Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps... |
Aviron Bayonnais | 6-0 | Route du Médoc, Le Bouscat Le Bouscat Le Bouscat is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.It is a suburb of the city of Bordeaux and is adjacent to it on the north side.-Population:-External links:*... |
20.000 |
| 13 May 1923 | Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps... |
Aviron Bayonnais | 3-0 | Stade Yves-du-Manoir Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir The Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir - stadium in Colombes, near Paris, France . Named in memory of French rugby player Yves du Manoir in 1928. Was the main stadium for the 1924 Summer Olympics and had a capacity of 45,000 at the time... , Colombes Colombes Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes .... |
15.000 |
| 13 May 1934 | Aviron Bayonnais | Biarritz Olympique Biarritz Olympique Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup... |
13-8 | Stade des Ponts Jumeaux Stade des Ponts Jumeaux The Stade des Ponts Jumeaux was a rugby union stadium, inaugurated on 24 November 1907, in the Ponts Jumeaux district of Toulouse, south-western France. The land was purchased by the embryonic Stade Toulousain rugby team – with financial assistance from city notables – then headed by a law... , Toulouse Toulouse Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea... |
18.000 |
| 21 March 1943 | Aviron Bayonnais | SU Agen SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne Sporting Union Agen Lot-et-Garonne is a French rugby union club based in Agen in the department of Lot-et-Garonne. They currently play in the top flight of French professional rugby, Top 14; they were most recently promoted after winning the 2010 title in the second-level Pro D2. Agen also... |
3-0 | Parc des Princes Parc des Princes The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed... , Paris |
28.000 |
| 26 March 1944 | USA Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... |
Aviron Bayonnais | 20-5 | Parc des Princes Parc des Princes The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed... , Paris |
35.000 |
| 29 May 1982 | SU Agen SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne Sporting Union Agen Lot-et-Garonne is a French rugby union club based in Agen in the department of Lot-et-Garonne. They currently play in the top flight of French professional rugby, Top 14; they were most recently promoted after winning the 2010 title in the second-level Pro D2. Agen also... |
Aviron Bayonnais | 18-9 | Parc des Princes Parc des Princes The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed... , Paris |
41.165 |
Challenge Yves du Manoir
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
| 1936 | Aviron Bayonnais | 9-3 | USA Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... |
| 1980 | Aviron Bayonnais | 16-10 | AS Béziers |
Coupe de l'Espérance
| Date | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
| 1919 | Stadoceste Tarbais Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby is a French rugby union team that currently takes part in Pro D2, the second level of the country's professional league system.... |
4-3 | Aviron Bayonnais |
Current squad
In for 2011-12
Neemia TialataNeemia Tialata
Neemia Stanley Tialata is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. As well as representing New Zealand, he also plays for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup when available....
(from
Hurricanes) Mark ChisholmMark Chisholm
Mark Chisholm is an Australian rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Brumbies in the international Super Rugby competition...
(from
Brumbies) Sione LauakiSione Lauaki
Sione Tuitupu Lauaki is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. His brother, Epalahame Lauaki, is a 2nd rower for Hull in the Super League competition and also a New Zealand international.-Early career:...
(from
Clermont AuvergneASM Clermont Auvergne
Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club...
) Joe Rokocoko (from
Blues) Marvin O'Connor (from GrenobleFC Grenoble
Football Club de Grenoble Alpes Rugby is a French rugby union club which, until recently, competed in the top level of the French league system. They play at Stade Lesdiguières . They wear red and blue.-History:...
) Cédric Heymans
Cédric Heymans
Cédric Heymans is a French rugby union footballer. He currently plays for Aviron Bayonnais after signing from Stade Toulousain in 2011. He started his club career with CA Brive before moving to SU Agen, where he stayed until the late 1990s, before signing with Toulouse...
(from
ToulouseStade Toulousain
Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps...
) Mike Phillips
Mike Phillips (rugby player)
William Michael "Mike" Phillips is a Welsh international rugby union rugby player who plays at scrum-half for Bayonne.-Personal life:...
(from
Ospreys) Victor Manukula (from AurillacStade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne
Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne is a French rugby union club, which play in Rugby Pro D2, the second division of French rugby. The club currently play at the Stade Jean Alric, which has a capacity of around 10,000. The club was founded in 1904...
)
Out for 2011-12
Rémy Martin (to MontpellierMontpellier Hérault RC
Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. The club competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14. They originally played at Stade Sabathé but moved to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in 2007...
) Jean-Baptiste Peyras (to
MontpellierMontpellier Hérault RC
Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. The club competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14. They originally played at Stade Sabathé but moved to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in 2007...
) Arnaud Héguy
Arnaud Héguy
Arnaud Héguy is a former French international professional rugby union player.As a Hooker, Héguy played for Aviron Bayonnais where he was very appreciated by the fans of the club because he's from Bayonne. In 2011 he left Bayonne to play for Biarritz Olympique.-External links:*...
(to
BiarritzBiarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
) Sébastien Fauqué
Sébastien Fauque
Sébastien Fauqué is a French rugby union player, born 6 March 1977 in Tarbes , who plays as fly half for Aviron Bayonnais.He arrived at US Montauban from US Dax after a spell at Castres Olympique and a first professional contract at Section Paloise. He was the backup for David Aucagne at Pau and...
(to
La RochelleAtlantique Stade Rochelais
Stade Rochelais is a French rugby union club who compete in the Pro D2. They are often known simply as La Rochelle.They were founded in 1898 and play at Stade Marcel-Deflandre . They wear yellow and black...
) Joe Pietersen
Joe Pietersen
Joe Pietersen is a South African rugby union footballer who currently plays as fullback or on the wing for Western Province.He started his career at , playing for them in the domestic Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions, as well as representing the in Super Rugby...
(to
StormersStormers
The Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
)
Notable former players
André Alvarez Robert Baulon André BéhotéguyAndré Béhotéguy
André Béhotéguy was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.He was born in Bayonne and died in Nice.In 1924 he won the silver medal as member of the French team.-External links:...
Henri Béhotéguy Christian Belascain Eugène Billac Maurice Celhay Jean Dauger Pierre Dospital Richard Dourthe
Richard Dourthe
Richard Dourthe is a retired French international rugby union.He is the son of Claude Dourthe and both Raphaël Ibañez and Olivier Magne's brother-in-law, being them married with his two sisters.- External links :****...
Bernard Duprat Fernand Forgues Jean-Michel Gonzalez
Jean-Michel Gonzalez
Jean-Michel Gonzalez , nicknamed Gonzo, is a former French rugby union footballer and a current coach. He played as a hooker and as a prop....
Jean Iraçabal Louis Junquas Paul Labadie Patrice Lagisquet
Patrice Lagisquet
Patrice Lagisquet is a former French rugby union footballer and a current coach. He played as a wing. He was nicknamed "The Bayonne Express"....
Daniel Larrechea Félix Lasserre Christophe Lamaison
Christophe Lamaison
Christophe Lamaison is a former French rugby union footballer who represented France at international level, and Brive, Agen and Aviron Bayonnais at professional club level. He won 37 caps and is the current all-time leading points scorer for France, with 380 points...
James McLaren
James McLaren
James "Jim" Gerard McLaren is a Scottish former dual-code international rugby league and rugby union footballer, who at representative level played rugby league for Scotland, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and at representative level played rugby union for Scotland, playing at...
Christian Magnanou Rémy Martin Wataru Murata Laurent Pardo Patrick Perrier Roland Pétrissans Jacques Rollet Jean-Marie Usandisaga