Aviron Bayonnais is a French rugby union club from Bayonne (Baiona, in Basque) in Pyrénées-Atlantiques that currently competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition. In their most recent season in 2010–11 they finished 7th, whilst in the previous season they finished in a relegation spot, but they were spared the drop because of the bankruptcy filing of 12th-place finisher Montauban.[1]
Founded in 1904, they play at the Parc des Sports also known as Jean Dauger in Bayonne. Their mascot is a pottok pony called pottoka. They have ties to the French Basque community.
[edit] History
The club was established in 1904, making their first final appearance in the 1913 season, where they defated S.C.U.F. 31-8 at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. The national domestic championship was replaced by the Coupe de l'Espérance during World War I. The competition was played for four seasons, with Aviron Bayonnais contesting the last final, which they lost to Stadoceste Tarbais 4 to 3.
With the French championship resumed, the club made their next championship game in the 1922 season where they met Toulouse. Aviron Bayonnais lost the final 6 to nil. The two clubs would meet again the next season to again contest the championship final, which Toulouse won again, 3 to nil.
Aviron Bayonnais enjoyed success during the mid-1930s, defeating Biarritz 13 to 8 in Toulouse to win their second championship, and first since 1913. They also won the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1936, defeating Perpignan in the final. The club saw similar results during the mid-1940s as well, with two championship final appearances; defeating SU Agen in the 1943 final at Parc des Princes in Paris and losing the 1944 season final to Perpignan.
Since the 1940s the club did not find a lot of success over the coming years, as they would have to wait until the 1980s until they would again reach any of the championship finals. In 1980 they contested the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir, defeating AS Béziers 16 to 10 to gain their second title of that competition. They made it to the final of the 1982 season, although they were defeated by SU Agen, 18 to 9.
[edit] Honours
[edit] Finals results
The Aviron Bayonnais squad in 1914.
[edit] French championship
[edit] Challenge Yves du Manoir
[edit] Coupe de l'Espérance
[edit] Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-IRB nationality.
[2]
[edit] In for 2011-12
[edit] Out for 2011-12
[edit] Notable former players
[edit] Coaches
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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| 2011–12 Teams |
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| The origins |
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| Between the wars |
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| After the second war |
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| 1960-1980 |
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| 1980-1995 |
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| Professional era and Top 16 |
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| Top 14 |
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| Governing body |
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| National teams |
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| Competitions |
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| Related articles |
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Michel Cacouault
Neemia Tialata (from 
Mark Chisholm (from 
Clermont Auvergne)
Mike Phillips (from 
Jacques-Louis Potgieter (from 
James McLaren
Wataru Murata
