Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

French rugby in turmoil as Laporte resigns as president

French rugby has been thrown into further turmoil just over seven months before the World Cup as Bernard Laporte resigned as president of the French rugby federation (FFR).

Rugby • 27 Jan 23

Laporte to 'step back' from duties after trial verdict

The French Rugby Federation said its president Bernard Laporte is stepping back from his duties after being sentenced on corruption charges but would remain in the role during his appeal process.

Bernard Laporte • 20 Dec 22

Bernard Laporte has self-suspended from all positions within World Rugby

WR refers Laporte case to independent ethics officer

World Rugby has referred Bernard Laporte's decision to suspend himself from duty to its independent ethics officer for review after the governing body's vice-chairman was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence on corruption charges.

Rugby • 14 Dec 22

Bernard Laporte given two-year suspended sentence

A French court has sentenced French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Bernard Laporte to a two-year suspended term for corruption, less than a year before France hosts the World Cup.

Rugby • 13 Dec 22

France head coach Fabien Galthie has tested positive for Covid-19

Laporte insists Galthie 'had the right' to leave bubble

French rugby chief Bernard Laporte has confirmed that national head coach Fabien Galthie had left the Six Nations secure bubble to watch his son play a game but insisted that his job was not in danger

Six Nations • 01 Mar 21

Bernard Laporte: "I'm not that worried."

Laporte: No need to be alarmed about men's Six Nations

French rugby federation president Bernard Laporte remains optimistic that the Six Nations will go ahead as scheduled despite the Covid-19 crisis.

Rugby • 10 Jan 21

'I will be the president of all clubs. Together for a great World Cup'

Laporte gets another term as president of French Rugby

Bernard Laporte has been re-elected as president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) for another four years after narrowly beating opposing candidate Florian Grill, the country's governing body said on Saturday.

Rugby • 03 Oct 20

Rugby chief Laporte held for questioning in France

French Rugby Federation President Bernard Laporte is being held for questioning over his ties with Montpellier owner Mohamed Altrad amid an investigation into influence-peddling and illegal acquiring of assets, a judicial source said on Tuesday.

Rugby • 22 Sep 20

Ireland and France battle at close quarters during last year's Six Nations

Six Nations organisers stay quiet on Laporte claims

The organisers of the Six Nations Championship have said they won't be commenting on reports of a resumption of this year's tournament.

Rugby • 22 Jul 20

Ireland were due to face Les Bleus in the concluding game of the tournament on 14 March before the coronavirus outbreak

Laporte gives October date for Ireland v France clash

French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Bernard Laporte has said that the 2020 Six Nations clash of France and Ireland will be rescheduled for 31 October.

Rugby • 21 Jul 20

FFR approves loss-making budget to help Top 14 clubs

The French rugby union federation (FFR) on Saturday approved a budget for the 2020/21 season showing a €5.6 million deficit as it scrambles to aid clubs hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby • 04 Jul 20

EPCR deny that cup competitions are under threat

A statement from European Professional Club Rugby has hit out at media reports reports regarding a proposal for an annual Club World Cup.

Rugby • 06 Apr 20

President of French Rugby Federation Bernard Laporte

Laporte touts Club World Cup to replace Champions Cup

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte has proposed a radical new Club World Cup tournament to replace the existing European Champions Cup in a bid to increase club revenues that have taken a hit due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby • 06 Apr 20

Joe Schmidt will step down from his Ireland job after the World Cup this autumn

Laporte: Schmidt was my No 1 choice to coach France

French rugby president Bernard Laporte has revealed Joe Schmidt would have been his preferred choice to replace Jacues Brunel had the country's clubs not ruled out a foreign head coach.

Rugby • 12 Apr 19

Police raid French rugby headquarters

Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation's president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

Rugby • 23 Jan 18

Bernard Laporte: "What bothers me, primarily, is that the process was misguided, flawed."

World Rugby: Laporte criticism 'unfounded & inaccurate'

World Rugby has responded to stinging criticism by the French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte, claiming his comments were "unfounded and inaccurate".

Rugby • 04 Nov 17

Bryan Habana sprints home to score the opening try of the Toulon-Leinster semi-final

O'Connor: Habana intercept changed the game

Leinster head coach Matt O'Connor pinpointed Bryan Habana's intercept try as the moment the tide turned in Toulon's favour in their Champions Cup semi-final clash in Marseille.

Rugby • 20 Apr 15

Bernard Laporte will be banned from any matchday involvement for 13 weeks

Laporte slammed with 13 week ban

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte has been banned from involvement with the team on matchdays for 13 weeks after an outburst against a match referee last month.

Rugby • 12 Feb 14

Bernard Laporte