After guiding Portugal to first Rugby World Cup, coach Patrice Lagisquet goes back to daily grind of insurance office
- Head coach Lagisquet will cut his celebrations short despite dramatic 16-16 draw with USA sending Portugal through to France 2023 on points difference
- Culmination of three years of hard work and planning by the Frenchman pays glorious dividends in Dubai – ‘it’s an incredible scenario,’ he admits
After guiding Portugal to the Rugby World Cup for the first time, head coach Patrice Lagisquet is going back to his day job on Monday.
The culmination of three years of hard work and planning by the Frenchman and his coaches paid glorious dividends in Dubai, where Samuel Marques’ nerveless penalty sealed a 16-16 draw with the USA, sending Portugal through on points difference.
Lagisquet said he did not know how long he would allow himself to bask in the glory of his side’s dramatic achievement because, “on Monday I will be working in my insurance office. I will have to think about something else”.
“I will celebrate, I don’t know if I can celebrate the entire night, I will see,” the 60-year-old said. “Sometimes it is dangerous to celebrate with players on nights like that.”
A former French international, who played 46 times for his country, Lagisquet is no stranger to drama on the field, having previously lived it as a player and a coach.
In 2002, when Biarritz won a dramatic French championship final 25-22 against Agen for their first title in 63 years, it was down to a Laurent Mazas last-second drop goal at the end of extra time. Laguiset was in charge that day too.
