interview. Mathieu Larteau: “I have always been amazed by Toulousan Stadium!” Toulouse, Ntamack, Cancer… The journalist trusts La Depeche

Hanging around for France’s 15th championship for almost fifteen years, and home to the Stade Toulousan during the European adventures, Mathieu Lartout recently suffered a terrible tragedy. Last June, his right leg was amputated due to a recurrence of cancer 26 years ago. The “voice” of French rugby, as many consider him, then underwent a rapid rehabilitation process to achieve his goal of being on the microphone during the World Cup. Mathieu Lartout answered our questions with a cane in hand and a very communicative smile.

Why did writing this work seem important to you?

This book is a continuation of what I experienced for a year. From the moment I made the public announcement that my cancer had returned (in April 2023), I received an overwhelming number of messages of support. It was difficult to find an individual response to all these people, and I told myself that through this book I could tell them my whole story in detail and thank them for the strength they gave me.

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Regarding this support, it seems that Fabien Galtier was very present for you, did some players, perhaps from Toulousan, also support you in this difficult period…

(He cuts) Roman Ntamack. He wrote to me a lot and supported me a lot. Then there were a lot of them from the French XV like Damien Penaud, Anthony Guillonche, Antoine Dupont… But with Romain, there was a very touching exchange, he is a well-bred man with very strong human values. Something happened to him. Plus, as fate would have it, just before the World Cup, he broke his kneecap, so there was a strong bond between us. I also took charge by trying to support him in turn.

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Speaking of Stade Toulousan, they have a European Champions Cup semi-final against Harlequins on Sunday 5 May, which you will be happy to comment on on France 2. Do you think they will reach the final?

I think they will go there, for many reasons. The first is that this Harlequins team, as fun as they are, had 40 points in the group against Toulouse. Therefore, they have a small psychological advantage, especially since they were exceptionally eliminated in the quarter-finals (against Exeter, 64-26, editor’s note). In addition, hitting wood for Toulouse, except for Guelonche there are no major absences in the team. I find that Dupont has come back stronger since he left for rugby sevens, Romain (Ntamack) has returned with the appetite of someone who has missed a lot, and the international players have been managed well. So I want to say that all the strength is there to reach the final.

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Can they reach the end?

The only thing that scares me is Leinster reaching the final.

The question everyone is asking: Which team does Mathieu Lartot support?

I’m using my reserve there (He laughs). Most importantly, there are a lot of teams I like, but it’s true that Toulousan has always interested me. The game “Toulouse style” still raises a certain number of things. This club crosses generations and rugby is still as beautiful to watch as it is played, embodied by the players who enforce it and who still uphold the club’s values. Therefore, it remains an absolute reference. In the early 2000s I had a great affinity for Biarritz, then there were the Clermont years which were nice, and the Toulon project around Wilkinson wasn’t bad either. I am first and foremost a rugby fan.

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Who is the “Red and Black” that resonates with you the most?

There were so many big names and artists that it would be offensive to others to name just one. I started waking up to rugby in the early 1990s, when Emile Ntamack, Christophe Delaude and Jerome Casalbo were playing for Toulouse. Then there was the generation of Michalak, Poiterno, Clerc, Gusion, and Bellos, which I found tremendous. In Toulouse, I like to talk about heritage.

It seems that during your last visit to Toulouse, you ate at Mathis Lebel restaurant in Les Carmes…

You are well informed (He laughs). Anyway, it was very good and we were very well received.