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Servette’s Rise to Prominence in French Rugby
Servette, a Swiss rugby club, has made a remarkable debut in the Nationale 2, the fourth level of French rugby, after joining the French Championship in 2014. The team has moved up nine league places, defying expectations and silencing critics.
Located in Geneva, Servette has become a force to be reckoned with in the Nationale 2 group, boasting five wins and two defeats. The team’s success can be attributed to its unique blend of Swiss and French players, with 1/3 of the squad comprising Swiss players and 2/3 French players.
According to French flanker Roman Gauthier, who joined the team two years ago, Servette has faced hostility from other clubs. “We are probably not the most loved club in France,” he says. However, the team remains focused on developing local talent, with a emphasis on players from the Rhone-Alpes region.
Despite not having any flashy names, Servette’s squad is solid and well-structured. The team’s chairman, Alain Studer, explains that their typical target is a player trained in Oyonnak, but they also attract players from other regions. “We are focusing on local talent who have experience playing high-level rugby,” he says.
Interestingly, no first-team player makes a living from rugby, unlike their Fédérale 1 and Nationale 2 counterparts. Roman Gauthier, who works as a woodworking project manager, emphasizes that “work comes first” and that his schedule is demanding, with a 42-hour workweek and three training sessions.
However, the team’s location in Switzerland offers a unique advantage. The average monthly salary on the shores of Lake Geneva is around 5,500 euros, making it an attractive destination for quality players. Additionally, Servette’s rugby section is part of a high-end multi-purpose club, with professional medical, marketing, and communications services.
The team’s coaching duo, Clément Fromron and Gregory Garnier, is also a major asset. “The whole organization is solid and professional,” says Roman Gauthier. However, the team’s facilities are a major downside, with the main matches taking place on a soccer field and training sessions held in various locations around the Geneva countryside.
Despite these challenges, Servette’s chairman, Alain Studer, remains committed to building a stadium and promoting education and training for Swiss players. His goal is to create a competitive team that can shine on the French rugby stage, rather than trying to emulate the success of AS Monaco.