Alain Paco, here alongside Jean-Luc Fabre, the author of the book, was also a coach after his playing career.
The book, written by Jean-Luc Fabre, traces the career of the former international hooker for AS Biterroise, the most capped player in ASB with 35 selections for the French team. The book is full of anecdotes about the Béziers team that reigned over French rugby in the 70s and 80s and about the French fifteen with which Alain Paco won the Grand Slam in 1977.
The last copies of the book written by Jean-Luc Fabre on the oval existence of Alain Paco are still available for fans of rugby and the great epic of AS Biterroise in the 70s and 80s.
The author, who also wrote a book on Alain Estève, traces the career of the former international hooker, Alain Paco being the most capped player of the ASB with 35 selections in the French team and the winning of the Grand Slam in 1977, a tournament during which the Tricolores did not concede a single try.
Six shields of Brennus
From 1972 to 1983, the Biterrois lifted the Brennus shield six times with Armand Vaquerin. In Jean-Luc Fabre's book (450 pages of anecdotes and unpublished photos), we discover the career of an endearing character, capable of playing in several positions up front, hooker, of course, but also prop.
In 1972, during the international match between Béziers and Neath, who were Welsh champions, Alain Paco even played fly-half. It was also in this position that he started playing rugby before moving to hooker.
“With him, it's the heart that speaks”
To produce this book, Jean-Luc Fabre spent hours talking with the former hooker: “I discovered a more sensitive character than I thought, he reveals. His disappointments left a deep mark on him. With him, it's the heart that speaks, more than reason. Every time Béziers called him, he came back.”
The sensitivity, honesty and commitment of Alain Paco for his favorite club, Béziers, which he also coached, are reflected in this book, which is full of anecdotes about the Grand Béziers team and the French fifteen.
The book, priced at €27, is on sale at the Clareton des Sources bookstore and the La Coupole brasserie in Montimaran., Cultura du Polygone. Contacts: Jean-Luc Fabre on 06 07 59 78 82 or Alain Paco on 06 07 81 68 58.