"Without him, the team wouldn't have the same face": "nugget" Baptiste Jauneau would stay at ASM Clermont Auvergne

"He's our gem, he had to stay," exults Brigitte, a supporter of ASM Clermont Auvergne, who has reportedly extended the contract of her scrum-half Baptiste Jauneau until 2028, according to information from "Midi Olympique" confirmed by "La Montagne" . "Without him, the team wouldn't have the same face," assures Daniel, a loyal supporter of the yellow and blue XV.

It's an understatement to say that the rugby team's supporters are relieved after the departure of several key players like Fritz Lee and Peceli Yato. The transfer of flanker Alexandre Fischer to Bayonne this summer was seen as a very bad move, even though the player shone during the French team's summer tour of New Zealand . "It's hard to see players who were trained at the club, who embody the region, leave," notes Benjamin.

Despite his young age, 21, Baptiste Jauneau has established himself as a key figure in the revival of ASM, which finished last season by reaching the top 6 and the final stages at the last minute. He then took part in the French team's tour of New Zealand, along with his Clermont teammates Régis Montagne, Léon Darricarrère, and Kilian Tixeront.

Coach Christophe Urios has even promoted "Battit," his nickname, to captain for the past two seasons, proving that he is a leader in the locker room. "He's sometimes inconsistent, but that's normal at his age. He's entering his prime, he's going to stabilize his game and that of the entire team," believes Nicolas, who regularly visits the Marcel-Michelin stadium.

Trained in Biarritz, Baptiste Jauneau joined the Auvergne club at the age of 17. He quickly joined the professional squad and alternates at scrum-half with Sébastien Bézy.

"Midi Olympique" revealed on Wednesday, August 20, that the young rugby player had extended his contract until 2028, with an option for 2029, and a salary increase. The yellow and blue number 9 was coveted by Toulon and, to a lesser extent, by Bordeaux, Pau, and Bayonne. In any case, this transfer would only have taken effect for the 2026-2027 season.

For its part, the ASM Clermont Auvergne management team has yet to confirm the news as of Thursday, August 21. It assures that discussions are still ongoing. The announcement could be made official in a few days.

As for the player, after an extra holiday like the other internationals, he joined the professional squad during the training camp in Chambon-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire) this week. Present on the social network Instagram , he does not comment on the excitement surrounding him.

ASM Clermont Auvergne will play its first warm-up match this Friday, August 22, in Brive, before a second in Issoire (Puy-de-Dôme) against Toulon on August 29. The season will then begin at home on Sunday, September 7, against Toulouse.