The former international of Dax (Landes) Jean-Pierre Bastiat, winner of the 1977 Grand Slam with the XV of France, died Wednesday February 3 at 71 years of age as a result of a stroke, Agence France-Presse has learned ( AFP) to those around him. Third-line center or second-line imposing for the time (1.99 m, 110 kg), remained faithful to Dax throughout his career, he was a figure of rugby in the 1970s.
“We are all saddened, for the individual and the man he was”, commented the former international opener and consultant Pierre Albaladejo, evoking “This big guy that I recruited from basketball when he was 17 or 18 and we brought in rugby. And he still grew “.
Jean-Pierre Bastiat has a total of 32 selections for the French team, including some as captain. His association in third line with Jean-Pierre Rives and Jean-Claude Skrela was one of the bases of the Grand Slam 1977, won with the same fifteen players.
“It was a monster player, beware, and everywhere I went to comment in other countries, I was asked: ‘And Bastiat, what is happening?” “, continues Pierre Albaladejo.
“Everyone knew him. He is an exceptional player, who was one of these fifteen phenomena around Jean-Pierre Rives and the small [Jacques] Fouroux who had made this famous grand slam, without cashing a try. “
“A radiant man”
After a sprained knee prematurely ended his playing career, in 1978, Bastiat became leader of US Dax, which he chaired from 1990 to 1995. The native of Pouillon (Landes), reconverted as an insurer, was also involved in politics by standing in the 1989 European elections on the CPNT list (Hunting, fishing, nature and traditions) and in the municipal elections of Dax in 2014, on a right-wing list.
“French rugby is in mourning by losing today a figure of rugby”, reacted the French Rugby Federation in a press release. Its president, Bernard Laporte, paid tribute on Twitter to a “Monument of rugby and French sport”.
Jean-Pierre BASTIAT, monument of rugby and French sport, went away tonight. 1977 Grand Slam hero… https://t.co/paC34YpGlA
Raphaël Ibañez, manager of the XV of France and former international hooker, also reacted on the social network, saluting the memory of a “Legend of our sport”. “He was my leader when I started at US Dax. He saw me grow and accompanied with kindness and benevolence ”, he added. “All my thoughts and sincere condolences to his family”, also tweeted Thomas Lombard, former three-quarter international and current general manager of Stade Français.
Goodbye Jean Pierre Bastiat. Major player in the 1977 Grand Slam, founding member of @Barbarian_RC, Dacquois au gr… https://t.co/CwH3t54OgK
