After the signing of Damian Penaud, a reinforcement of weight on the ground, the UBB is building up its staff. The president of the Union Bordeaux-Bègles Laurent Marti formalized on Tuesday the arrivals of Yannick Bru as manager and of Thibault Giroud, current performance director of the Blues, who have signed up for four years. Like Penaud, they will join the Girondin club from next season.
Bru, 49, former international hooker crowned several times with Toulouse in France and Europe, has been training for fifteen years. First in Toulouse then in the France team as Guy Novès’ assistant, he then became the manager of Bayonne between 2018 and last summer. This season, the native of Auscitain holds a position as a consultant to the Durban Sharks, who are due to face UBB on Saturday on the third day of the qualifying phase of the Champions Cup.
Giroud, 48, a versatile athlete (skiing, American football, bobsleigh, rugby) who has become a renowned physical trainer (Glasgow, Biarritz, Toulon, etc.), has been leading the performance sector of Fabien Galthié’s French team since 2019. He also has very good relations with Damian Penaud, whom he therefore rubs shoulders with the XV of France. His contribution is considered essential in the current good performance of the Blues.
In mid-November, the UBB had separated from Christophe Urios while the Bordeaux team was only in 11th position. Since then, the Aquitaine have revived and climbed to fourth place in the Top 14, one point ahead of Racing 92.