He has the look of a backpacker. White beard, red bandanna, ill-fitting clothes –an unlikely fashion statement you cannot miss if you cross his path.
But Daniel Herrero, a man who says rugby is his life, is not bothered by what others think.
“I’m born like that. I’m not searching for a style, I’m like a nomad,” the 50 year old French journalist and former rugby player admits.
Socialised in rugby
Herrero began playing rugby when he was 10 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, a Spanish immigrant.
A member of a talented rugby family, the former school teacher played first division rugby in France while two of his brothers donned the famous tricolore jersey.
“I was rough, not violent,” Herrero said of his playing style. “My socialisation, I made it in rugby. School stole my breakfast for 11 years and rugby gave me a space of happiness.”
For 15 years Herrero combined teaching with his other great passion, coaching rugby.
He believes the two disciplines are based on the same values, but for him rugby is the school of life.
The making of men
Herrero, now a commentator on SUD Radio in southern France, might have played it rough on the field but his love of rugby flows as smoothly from his tongue as it does with a pen in his hand. He never stops talking about rugby.
“When you play rugby you are marked forever because you give a part of yourself," Herrero explained.
"It’s a collective, the sacrifice, the fraternity, the links, the man management, the construction … the motivation in rugby is different, it’s what starts the engine.”
This is the Herrero theory. But it is not that easy to put into practice, as was shown by France in their 24-7 semi final loss to England last Sunday.
“The recent defeat against England left us with bitterness,” said Herrero. “We can’t fight the English and the defeat is an offence for everybody in France.”
Who will replace Galthié?
France captain Fabien Galthié immediately announced his retirement after his side’s semi final loss, lacking the motivation to play in the third/fourth place playoff tonight.
“To quit the ship now is perhaps not a good thing,” explained Herrero. “To quit when you lose on a night like that [France’s semi final loss to England] is very painful.
“He has good experience with leadership and four World Cups behind him. He was captain for the last two years and although not at his best level of play, he was the best captain.
“With him is a generation which is strong but also close to retirement [in] Magne, Ibanez, Pelous … on the horizon you have Harinordoquy, Bru … but you don’t have a leader with the charisma of Galthié.”
Where is the flair?
Herrero says that France lost its legendary flair, which is renowned around the world, on Sunday. He went as far as describing Les Bleus performance as “Robotic France”.
Will we, in tonight's playoff, see the champagne rugby France produced in their epic 43-31 semi final win over New Zealand in 1999?
“The two teams have been very profoundly touched in their dignity. Both couldn’t compete against their opponent in the semi finals,” concluded Herrero. “New Zealand has chosen its first team, which is tired, and France has chosen its second team, which is fresh.
“The French team will be hungry because they haven’t played many matches at the Tournament. They will have a big appetite.”