Former France coach Bernard Laporte has been elected as the new French rugby federation president.
Laporte, who led France to the World Cup semi-finals in 2003 and 2007, also served as secretary of state for sports under former France president Nicolas Sarkozy.
He returned to coaching at Toulon in 2011 where he took over from Philippe Saint-Andre.
Laporte and his allies came first with 52 per cent of the votes, well ahead of the list defended by current president Pierre Camou.
Laporte has pledged to unite amateur and professional rugby, to develop women’s rugby and rugby sevens as well as creating an ambitious training program.
Bakkies
Guest
No it isn't. Laporte is against building a new stadium for Rugby in Paris which would be roofed with a proper pitch which would take away the poor SdF pitch and not being primary tenants. Not being primary tenants is why the Top 14 Final is in June hence the clash with tours. The SdF deal also costs the FFR €2 million a test in revenue which could be ploughed in to Rugby development. The clubs may be affluent but the FFR has less income then you think.
Celtic334
Guest
This is actually great news for not just French rugby but rugby as a whole. He will stand for what's best for the games future and not just the professional clubs