Professional rugby and studies: Joseph Laget's successful gamble

At 25, this first-year DNO (Diplôme National d'Œnologue) student in Montpellier leads a triple life: professional rugby player in Pro D2, student and young father of a one-month-old baby girl. Portrait of a man who refuses to choose between his passions.

A skilfully orchestrated balance between field and classroom

With a professional contract since 2018, rugby is his main profession, but he never abandons his studies: "I spread out my years of study to be able to do rugby. I made choices, but I never gave up."

His schedule is a veritable rollercoaster: training from Sunday to Tuesday, classes in Montpellier as required, and travel from Thursday to Friday for matches. In between all this, he juggles his responsibilities as a young father, looking after his one-month-old daughter and spending time with his family.

The university facilitates this organization: "When I compare myself to other traditional students, I have quite a few accommodations: teachers help me with classes I miss, group changes, etc. Frankly, I always get a lot of help from the university. Frankly, I always get a lot of help from the university.

From Marseille to Pro D2

It all started by chance: "At the beginning, I was a little rounder and smaller, I wanted to do sports to expend my energy and I ended up in rugby by chance, in a club near my home in Marseille." Talent quickly revealed itself, leading to selection and then to Provence Rugby.

His most memorable moment? "My first professional match in 2018. When you often see the greats play and find yourself in their shoes, it's a great memory." Today in Pro D2, the goal is clear: to climb back into the Top 14 via the final phases.

A well-thought-out professional project

Aware of the reality of professional sport, he anticipates the aftermath of rugby: "Rugby isn't eternal. If you get injured, it can end overnight. You have to be realistic.

After completing his baccalauréat S, a chemistry degree and a bachelor's degree in wine business, he went on to study oenology. "My second passion is linking wine and chemistry. When rugby ends, I'll switch straight over to that."

This complementarity benefits him: "Contrary to the image of the rugby player as a bit stupid, there's a lot to analyze in rugby. Studying helps you to structure your ideas, and conversely, the rigor of sport helps you in your studies. Even with less time, you can make the most of it.

His advice to students? "I don't think there's really a choice to be made. The university is there to help, and there are a lot of possible accommodations. As someone who trains every day, I'm able to take a master's degree. It's possible!"