Overturning a century of club-before-country is a difficult job, but the FFR’s Bernard Laporte has decided he’s the man to do it. I ask how…
The president of the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) has unveiled plans to introduce central contracts as he seeks to overturn a century of club-before-country in France.
Since his election at the beginning of December 2016, Bernard Laporte has been issuing executive orders faster than Donald Trump on a high-caffeine-and-guarana diet. The long-planned national rugby stadium on the outskirts of Paris has been scrapped. Sponsorship has appeared on the French national kit for the first time, and will add €10million a year to FFR coffers.
James Harrington: Freelance sports journalist 