The French Rugby Federation is currently looking for a new team manager following the departure of Raphael Ibanez. Ibanez was appointed to work alongside Fabien Galthie after the 2019 Rugby World Cup disappointment, and the duo played a significant role in revitalizing French rugby. However, their relationship has reportedly broken down over the last few months, with disagreements arising before and during the World Cup that have not been repaired since the tournament ended.

The tension between Ibanez and Galthie has been exacerbated by the actions of former Les Bleus player Richard Dourthe, who publicly criticized the France head coach. Dourthe, who is also the brother-in-law of Ibanez, accused Galthie of avoiding important issues and took issue with his coaching methods. The breakdown of the relationship between Ibanez and Galthie has led to Ibanez likely taking on a role within the French Rugby Federation that will not be attached to the men’s side, with a role in the youth and/or women’s sections being suggested.

The departure of Ibanez adds to the rebuilding job that Galthie will have to do on the coaching side, with several other coaches also leaving their positions within the set-up. Despite these challenges, Galthie will have a relatively young team to work with and is set to be without his captain for