Born 28 October 1968 in Dakar, Senegal to a military father from the Franche-Comté and a mother from Lorraine, he was raised in Argelès-sur-Mer with his six younger brothers and one younger sister who all play or played rugby at different high levels. Two are or have been international rugby players: Thomas (who was also part of France's 1999 Rugby World Cup squad and is now coach of Dax) and Matthieu. The only girl of the family, Claire, was a semi-professional, winning a French Championship with Toulouges in 2005. The two younger twins, Pierre and Luc are also playing for l'Avenir Castanéen, a Fédérale 2 side (4th Division), as a centre and openside flanker respectively. Finally, François used to play for USA Perpignan, during the 1990s.
After retiring from rugby, Lièvremont turned to coaching at US Dax, whom he guided to promotion to the Top 14 in 2007. In a surprise move, French Rugby Federation president Bernard Lapasset, who is now chairman of the IRB, appointed Lièvremont as the new head coach of the French national side after the 2007 Rugby World Cup, replacing Bernard Laporte.[3] As assistants, former French teammate Émile Ntamack was appointed to coach the backs, while Didier Retière was nominated as the new forwards coach.
In 2010 Lièvremont coached France to win the 2010 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam beating England 12–10.[4] The following year, however, pressure began to mount on him after Six Nation losses to England 17–9 and Italy 22–21 – the latter of which was the first time Italy had beaten France, and came after France had led by twelve points with twenty minutes remaining and the next week France beat Wales 28–9.[5] At the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he guided France to the final where they played hosts New Zealand, losing 8–7 after a very well played game.[6] Lièvremont branded a section of his squad "spoilt brats" after he discovered some players went out to celebrate the semi-final win against Wales.[7] He also did not make an appearance for the after-match interview, sending his assistant instead. However, veteran back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy, who publicly criticized Lièvremont during the tournament for browbeating the team in the media,[8] indicated after the tournament that the team had rebelled against him after the pool stage, and had effectively managed themselves in the knockout rounds.[9]
The France national rugby union team represents the French Rugby Federation in men's international rugby union matches. Colloquially known as Le XV de France, the team traditionally wears blue shirts with a Gallic rooster embroidered on the chest, white shorts and red socks in reference to the French national flag. Les Bleus mostly play home matches at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship along with England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. France have won the tournament on 26 occasions, winning the Grand Slam 10 times.
Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais, also referred to as USA Perpignan or Perpignan, is a French professional rugby union club founded in 1933 and based in Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. They compete in the Top 14, France's elite division of rugby.
Imanol Harinordoquy is a French former rugby union player. He typically played as a number 8 for Stade Toulousain at club level in the Top 14 and for France internationally. Before signing with Biarritz ahead of the 2004–05 season, he played club rugby at Pau.
Philippe Georges Saint-André is a former French rugby union footballer and was most recently the manager of Top 14 side Montpellier. He earned 69 test caps for France between 1990 and 1997. His preferred position was wing but he could also play at centre. After retiring, Saint-André has found success as a rugby coach in both England and France. He was serving as director of rugby at Toulon before being announced as the successful candidate for head coach of France from 2011 to 2015. He formally took charge of the national team on 1 December 2011, and left his post on 17 October 2015 following a 13–62 loss to New Zealand.
Guy Novès is a former French rugby union player and most recently coach of the French national team. Born in Toulouse, Novès, who played on the wing, was capped seven times for his country, and played with Stade Toulousain from 1975 to 1987 and was a member of the team that won the Bouclier de Brennus in 1985 and 1986. He later coached the side in a tenure that lasted 22 years, when he won the French championship nine times and the Heineken Cup four times.
Pascal Papé is a former French rugby union footballer.
Vincent Clerc is a former French professional rugby union player who played on the wing.
Clément Poitrenaud is a former French rugby union footballer. His usual position is at fullback but he also plays at centre. He most recently played for South African side the Sharks in Super Rugby, having represented Toulouse in the French Top 14 club competition between 2000 and 2016, and France between 2001 and 2012, including at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. He has since transitioned into a role of partner, father and coach.
Pieter Joshua de Villiers is a South African-born French rugby union player and coach. As a player he represented France at international level and played in two Rugby World Cups, and ended his club career with Stade Français in the Top 14 competition in France. A prop, he was renowned for his scrummaging ability.
Nicolas Mas is a retired French rugby union footballer, who last played for Montpellier Hérault Rugby in the Top 14. His usual position was at prop. He also played for the France national team. His nickname is le bus.
Sylvain Marconnet is a French rugby union footballer who played for Biarritz Olympique having signed from Stade Français in the Top 14 club competition in France. His usual position is prop. Marconnet has played for France, including representing them at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Yannick Bru is a French rugby union coach and former player who played as a hooker. He is the head coach of Union Bordeaux Bègles in the Top 14. Bru was capped 18 times for the France national team.
David Skrela is a former French rugby union player. He most notably played for Stade Français and Toulouse in the Top 14 as well as the French national side as a fly-half or centre. He was renowned for his tackles and his kicking skills.
Thomas Lièvremont is a French rugby union footballer.
Lionel Beauxis is a former French rugby union player.
Émile "Milou" Ntamack is a French former rugby union footballer. He played professionally for Stade Toulousain and France, winning 46 caps. Ntamack made his French debut against Wales during the 1994 Five Nations Championship. Ntamack was part of the Grand Slam winning sides in 1997. He was in the 1995 and 1999 World Cup squads. He initially announced his retirement in 2003 due to a facial injury, however he then stayed on for another year before retiring in 2004. His younger brother, Francis Ntamack was also capped by France. Ntamack coached the Espoirs team of the Stade Toulousain and the French U21 team which was the first Northern Hemisphere side to win the World Championships in this age category, held in the Auvergne in 2006.
The French national rugby union team first competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics.
Fulgence Ouedraogo is a former French rugby union player. He played the entirety of his 17 year career for Montpellier Hérault RC in the Top 14 championship. His usual position was as a flanker.
William Servat is a former French rugby union footballer and is currently an assistant coach for the France national team. Servat played as a hooker for Toulouse in the Top 14 club competition and for France at international level. Servat was regarded as one of the top hookers in the world in the late 2000's, culminating in 2010 Grand Slam & European Cup wins.
Marc Dal Maso is a former French rugby union player and a current coach. He played in the position of a hooker.
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