The pillar Baptiste Erdocio, Basque force of the Montpellier pack before facing the Parisian leader

Baptiste Erdocio a rejoint le MHR cette saison en provenance de Biarritz. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Pour affronter le Stade Français, samedi 30 mars en Top 14, Montpellier comptera sur la détermination de son jeune pilier basque Baptiste Erdocio.

With Baptiste Erdocio, the Basque Country is never very far away. It must be said that he left his region for the first time by signing with the MHR. The kid from Bidart left his mountains behind for the shores of the Mediterranean. "I lived 100 meters from the ocean but I prefer the mountains. Here, I like walking in the vineyards", he smiles.

He put on his first crampons at the age of 5, in his village club. "My whole family plays rugby, my uncle played in Biarritz, my father, my brother… When signing the first license, there was no question even if I did other sports on the side, it was rugby that allowed me to let off steam on the Saturday with friends."

The dream of a kid who saw himself putting on the jersey of the Bidart first team. "When I was little, the high level was seeing the greats from Bidart play. We were going to see the soundtrack, but it was Bidart that I found beautiful. With my brother and friends we played on the sidelines and got lots of mud on ourselves. My dream was to be big enough to go and play with them. Gradually I told myself that I could aim higher."

Bidart, then Biarritz Olympique where he followed a Top 14 season, concluded with a descent, and another in Pro D2. You then have to leave the family nest towards Hérault. "I won't say that it’s heartbreaking because it’s a dream to play in a team like Montpellier. I didn't ask myself 36,000 questions. I think I made the right choice The arrival alongside him of Auguste Cadot, his teammate at Biarritz, helped him to experience this expatriation better. "We try to do things together outside to clear our heads, he explains. It's good to have a guy to lean on and talk to."

Fan of Fabien Barcella

"I came to learn, in a small way, by watching pillars like Enzo (Forletta) or Greg (Fichten) who has 10 or 15 years of Top 14& ;quot;, smiles humbly the 24-year-old young man. He who admits to having adored Fabien Barcella, the former pillar of Biarritz in the 2010s. "I took a photo with him when I was 10 years old . Before arriving here, I did the pre-season cervical preparation with him, learning, listening to his tips. But I can tell you all the pillars… Guys who made me dream while they play pillars, not the most attractive position", he laughs.

"He’s a worker, that’s what I like about him. He is listening, asking, confirms Didier Bès, the MHR consultant . He works all week and today it’s paying off. The pillar position leaves no room for chance."

The ranking of the Top 14

However, Baptiste Erdocio sees rugby as a passion, "it’is something that drives me. I replay the entire matches, I dissect the actions, he confides. It’s a passion job and I live it to the fullest. At home I went to see Bidart every Sunday and when they weren't playing I went to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. I don't know the clubs here yet but it could come."

But being passionate does not mean that you will stay admiring others. Not the house type. "My parents always pushed me, when I did stupid things, they never deprived me of rugby. It was a release that allowed me to think about something else. It’s a dream come true to enter the field, to meet guys with selections. I look at it with the eyes of a kid but when I'm on the pitch, it's over, little Baptiste. I never look down and I never will."

"When I put on the MHR jersey, it’s as if I was putting on the Bidart one"

Proud as a Basque, this country which exudes in its accent, or when it launches into one of these songs which give goosebumps. "My roots , it’s very important. The first thing I put in my suitcase is the T-shirt from my Bidart club, he slips. To think of them, of all the distance I have come to be able to put a Top 14 jersey on my shoulders. It’s a source of pride for my club and thinking about them helps me play good matches. They are with me."

"Baptiste, he’s a bowl of oxygen, someone positive, always in a good mood, assures Didier Bès. But not the positive attitude with two bullets. We need this. And he has a mind. He is proud of his roots."

A boy of character who does not hesitate to give his opinion (he was captain of the BO), while remaining in his place. A man of values ​​too. "Montpellier agreed to pay to bring me from the BO, so I have to give them that back, he assures. I'm not from here, but when I put on the MHR jersey it's as if I was putting on that of my little club. I defend him as best I can. It’s important to give change."

And winning against the Parisian leader on Saturday would put money in the bank for maintenance.

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