Watch: Huge crowd celebrate Bayonne promotion to Top 14
It was not your typical Monday in Bayonne. After their rugby team won promotion back to the Top 14 at the weekend, locals showed up in droves to celebrate with the players and coaches. Bayonne defeated Mont-de-Marsan 49-20 to take the ProD2 title on Sunday, scoring six tries in the process.
Check out this clip of supporters, while players and staff watch on from the balcony of the town hall.
? La Peña Baiona résonne place de la Liberté avec les joueurs de l'Aviron Bayonnais au balcon de la mairie
?? La Peña micro en main par Luc Mousset et Peio Muscarditz pic.twitter.com/Goru4PHc3n
— France Bleu Pays Basque (@Bleu_Basque) June 6, 2022
As you can see, thousands showed up to laud the team – all dressed in white, with branded neckerchiefs and baby blue berets – and when songs were sung, it was inevitable that the Bayonne anthem of Peña Baiona would ring out.
Here’s another clip of that song being belted out, full-throated, at the ProD2 semi-final.
Getting to a packed Jean Dauger to hear the Peña Baiona is definitely one for the bucket list
This was from the weekend's Pro D2 semi-final that Bayonne won against Oyonnaxpic.twitter.com/P5iM3cwfxF
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) May 30, 2022
It wasn’t just about singing either.
As France Bleu Pays Basque showed in one tweet: “The Aurresku (a traditional Basque dance). made in tribute to the Aviron Bayonnais players who have just arrived at the town hall fair in. Bayonne.”
Check out those moves.
L'Aurresku réalisé en hommage aux joueurs de l'Aviron Bayonnais qui viennent d'arriver au salon de la mairie de #Bayonne pic.twitter.com/flYhCvExZp
— France Bleu Pays Basque (@Bleu_Basque) June 6, 2022
La place de la Liberte fait le plein, avec des milliers de supporters bayonnais rassemblés pour entendre les joueurs au balcon de la mairie #Bayonne pic.twitter.com/w8FaTkSy8i
— France Bleu Pays Basque (@Bleu_Basque) June 6, 2022
After the match itself we were also treated to the sight of head coach Yannick Bru wearing a mascot’s head, as the team celebrated. For those who are interested, you could also visit the coach’s personal Twitter page to see a clip of one of the Bayonne players running around with the ProD2 trophy wearing the head… and nothing else!
#FinalePROD2
Quand Pottoka est promu entraîneur principal de l’@avironrugbypro ? pic.twitter.com/WhV5KSLC3q— Rugby PRO D2 (@rugbyprod2) June 6, 2022
After seeing La Rochelle fans out in force for the European Champions this is yet more proof of the vibrancy and public buy-in of French club rugby. What an impressive rugby nation they are at the moment.
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