HE feels the time is right to begin his next adventure, but Régis Sonnes knows a part of him will always belong to West Cork.

His passport says he is French, but his heart tells a different story. Over the past decade, this corner of Ireland has become more than just a stop along the way in his rugby journey – it has become his spiritual home.

‘When I was here for the first period, from 2016 to ’18, it was great, and I said then I was a West Cork man. Ten years later, I'm still a West Cork man, even more,’ Sonnes tells The Southern Star, as he prepared to say goodbye earlier this week to the place he has called home for the past three years.

His return in 2023 to work with Bandon Rugby Club and Bandon Grammar School was, like his first stint in 2016, seen as a coup for both local rugby institutions. But Sonnes’ connection to West Cork meant it was a move that made sense.

Living in Courtmacsherry, close to the sea – his playground for surfing – it clicked again, on and off the pitch.

‘I love the people here, I love the atmosphere, and the community is great. The pub, the school, the club, the street, the village – all the moments here are great,’ he says, but Sonnes feels it’s time for a new challenge.

In November he was named the new head coach of the Spanish women’s national team, and that excites him. Highly-rated within rugby, Sonnes coached the Spanish men’s national team before, but this is the challenge he needs right now.

Whereas he felt there was unfinished business when he left West Cork in 2018 to Top 14 giants Toulouse as defence coach – Sonnes was frustrated he didn’t finish the cycle with ‘the Jack Crowley team’ at Bandon Grammar – this goodbye rests easier on the 53-year-old.

Régis Sonnes in his Bandon colours.

‘I think it was time to turn the page,’ he says.

‘When the project from Spain came, it was a huge opportunity because it's a four-year contract and the (2029) World Cup in Australia at the end.

‘It’s another experience, to train a women’s team because I never have. It’s another rhythm too – to coach a national team is different, it’s not all the weekends, all the days training. I like this new tempo, and this challenge.’

Sonnes also feels he is leaving both Bandon Rugby Club and Bandon Grammar in good health. He hit his objectives.

As head coach, he guided Bandon to a top-four spot in Munster Junior League Division 1 and a place in next season’s All-Ireland Junior Cup.

‘Two years in top four with Bandon is good, because this is a young team. I think the average is 23, 24,’ he explains.

‘This is good for the club, now there is a good momentum. I'm very happy because we achieved what we wanted.’

With Bandon Grammar, the progress is evident too. The school won the Munster junior cup last year, backed that up by adding the U18 Bowen Shield to the trophy cabinet, and made it to the last four of the Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup for a fourth time.

A sign of Sonnes’ connection to Bandon rugby is that even though his focus is now on the Spanish women’s national team, Grammar’s recent 34–43 semi-final loss to St Munchin’s still rankles.

‘We achieved a lot together, and I am happy about that, but the frustration of the semi-final is still on me. I don't like to lose,’ he explains.

‘I'm sad because we had the opportunity to go to the final, but it was not our day – I will keep it in my soul for a long, long time.’

Sonnes will keep his connection with Bandon alive. The plan is to come back in May for a few days, and he promised Bandon Grammar players he will ‘100 percent return’ if they qualify for the senior boys cup final next season.

He sees the potential in Bandon rugby, noting the growth of the game in two more of the town’s secondary schools, Hamilton High School and St Brogan’s College. But he also stresses that work is needed to keep developing – an astroturf pitch is a necessity.

‘We have enormous potential in the community,’ Sonnes states.

‘For me, the future is to improve the facilities and mostly the pitch. In Bandon we need an astro pitch, a 4G pitch. This is fundamental for training because during the winter we are in difficulty. We miss time in November, December. We need to improve, that is the next step.’

So, as Sonnes’ journey takes him to Spain, he’ll never forget West Cork either. He’ll be back, with his family, to meet friends, for good times, and ‘to watch the waves’. This is not goodbye, it’s see you later.

Bonne chance, Régis.