This is a vote that should make some teeth cringe on this side of the Channel.
In its latest issue, Rugby World, the leading British magazine, unveils its ranking of the 50 personalities of world rugby, established every two years.
And it is the president of the French Rugby Federation and vice-president of the international federation who takes first place for his "
efficiency
", underlines the newspaper.
“
He is moody, tough, controversial, but he gets things done, develops the editorial staff of Rugby World.
If Bernard Laporte ticks a box, then things happen quickly.
Otherwise, you have trouble.
»
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The return to the top of the XV of France is also no stranger to this vote We thus find in the Top 10 the scrum half of the Blues and Stade Toulousain in 4th place and the coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié in the 7th.
And the first coach of this Top 50, far ahead of the boss of the XV of the Rose, Eddie Jones (18th) and the guru of the XV of Ireland, Andy Farrell (25th).
The Top 10 is definitely very “French” with the DG of the Six Nations Tournament Ben Morel, in 3rd place and that of the 2023 World Cup, Claude Atcher, in 5th.
We find on the second step of the podium, behind Laporte, Nick Clarry, the influential president of CVC, this investment fund which recently bought 1/7th of the shares of the Six Nations Tournament.
Bernard Laporte alongside Emmanuel Macron, on June 25 at the Stade de France during the Top 14 final between Montpellier and Castres.
Panoramic
To complete this Top 10, are present the DG of World Rugby, Alan Gilpin (6th), the former English pillar Steve Thompson, at the origin of a complaint of more than one hundred players victims of brain damage linked to concussions, the Director of Women's Rugby Sally Horrox (9th and only woman), and former All Black Conrad Smith (10th), Head of Player Welfare for the International Rugby Players Union.
Bernard Laporte, who succeeds the 2020 winner of this ranking, the captain of the Springboks 2019 world champions, Siya Kolisi, was referred to the Paris Criminal Court in particular for influence peddling, corruption and abuse of corporate assets, for alleged facts running from 2016 to 2021. Following an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF), the president of the FFR and Mohed Altrad will be tried from September 7 to 22.