In the tenth of our series of tributes to French rugby’s genuine journeymen, we zero in on a man who knows plenty about hats and homes. Prenez un arc, Sébastien Fauqué!

Born in March 1977 in Tarbes (ho ho!) to a rugby-mad family that can count on his father and uncle as ex-players, Sébastien Fauqué learnt his trade through mini and junior rugby with the likes of Auch, Riscle and Lourdes. Even as a scruffy youngster, his heart was set on playing the pivot position, and nobody was going to persuade our man that his future lay anywhere other than wearing the maillot numero dix.

In 1997 he signed his first professional contract as a raw 19-year-old with Pau. He soon encountered some stiff competition for the outside-half shirt in the shape of French international David Aucagne. So it was that our man was forced to play deuxième violon to his more illustrious colleague, making do with the inside centre berth.

Fauqué made quite an impression during his time at the Stade Hameau, especially with his accurate kicking prowess. His two seasons in the Pyrénées would be invaluable in establishing himself as one of French rugby’s most sought-after talents. They also exposed him to top-level European competition by way of the Heineken Cup, quite an achievement for a 20-year-old’s rugby CV.

With Aucagne nailed on at outside half, Fauqué decided it was time to move on and begin his rugby odyssey. It was Castres who would come knocking, with the semi-tempting offer of the prized number 10 spot for the duration of the 1999 Rugby World Cup at the least. This he did with some aplomb, but the dream soon died as Thomas Castaignède returned to the fold after his part in Les Bleus’ heroic efforts. Fauqué was thus regulated to a bit-part role at the Stade Pierre-Antoine. He grew more and more frustrated at the lack of opportunities at 10 and during the summer of 2000 decided it was time to bid au revoir to Castres and bonjour to Dax, who were looking to replace the departing Jean-Frédéric Dubois.

His arrival at the Stade Maurice-Boyau coincided with the Landes’ outfit’s return to French rugby’s top flight. Our man had a stellar couple of seasons, racking up 127 points during the 2001/02 campaign as he and scrum-half Pierre Mignoni orchestrated a talented back-line that contained the likes of French internationals and fellow journeymen Julien Laharrague and Richard Dourthe. However, this would not be enough to prevent Dax from falling through the relegation trap door, and despite the club’s best efforts to retain his services, Sébastien didn’t fancy Pro D2 fare and so was on his travels once again.

He was now in demand and a battle royale for his services between Narbonne and Montauban would ensue, before Fauqué decided that the Stade Sapiac would be his new home. His time at Montauban would prove to be the most fulfilling of his career by some way. For six seasons, he was a veritable points machine for the boys in green. He was a part of a team that, although not packed with stars, proved that synergy can be achieved on a rugby field. His early seasons at the Sapiac were a challenge, as Fauque struggled to establish himself as a first-choice selection. Things weren’t helped either by Montauban’s relegation to Pro D2 in 2004. This, however, was the start of the good times. Our man cemented his place as the numero-un numero-dix and alerted French rugby to his many talents.

The 2005/06 campaign was the zenith for this slippery, will-o-the-wisp character as he racked up a league and career best 386 points as les Montalbanais were crowned Pro D2 champions. The purple patch continued as they took the Top 14 by storm, bagging impressive seventh place finishes in both 2006/07 and 2007/08. Sadly, the latter would be the end of the line for Sébastien at the Stade Sapiac, a man who was revered in Montauban as “Our National Monument”.

All good things must come to an end, and so it proved for Fauqué as he joined the Boudjellal revolution at newly-promoted Toulon. Although he chipped in with 111 points during the 2008/09 season, he found his route to a regular starting spot at the Stade Mayol  blocked by expensive imports such as Jonny Wilkinson and Felipe Contepomi.

The situation worsened in 2009/10 as owner Mourad Boudjellal continued to wield his chequebook, so much so that notre homme jumped ship to link up with Bayonne in January 2010. He adjusted well to life at the Stade Jean-Dauger, again topping the hundred-point mark by season’s end. Would this be the ideal location for our intrepid traveller to end his career? Would it Fauqué!

The man who, at the time of writing, has racked up a career total of 1,270 points and who is married to the sister of Biarritz hooker Romain Terrain now finds himself at Pro D2 outfit La Rochelle, after another transfer over the summer. A humble and modest character who is happier to praise his team-mates than himself is now doing his best to help les Maritimes bring Top 14 rugby back to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre. Only time will tell if he manages this, and only time will tell if this also proves to be this rugby journeyman’s final port of call. Allez Sébastien!