The former sales director of Michelin took therein at the club in 2013, on the retirement of René Fontès. On his watch, Clermont won the Top 14 for just the second time in their history in 2017, and the European Challenge Cup in 2019. They also reached the Top 14 final in 2015, and Champions Cup finals in 2015 and 2017.
He announced in July that he had been battling cancer for several months. “There are so many people living in dire situations in the world that I’m not going to complain. There is worse than having cancer today in France,” he told the regional newspaper, La Montagne, at the time.
“I’ve always been a fighter, ” he said. “Cancer itself, for me, is a disease like any other. I’m lucky I don’t have side effects, [I get] just a little tired every now and then.”
He was still involved in meetings for the resumption of club competitions in the days before his death.
The news sparked a wave of tributes from the great-and-good of French rugby. FFR president Bernard Laporte described him as ‘a great leader and a generous man’.
Claude Atcher, who is heading up preparations for the 2023 World Cup, said de Cromières’ death ‘will leave a great void in the Clermont landscape and in French rugby’.
The respect in which he was held went beyond the game’s administrators. Former France captain Thierry Dusautoir added that he was, “a great leader of [Clermont] and French rugby and a person of extreme kindness”, while players’ union boss Robins Tchale Watchou simply tweeted, “Mr de Cromières we will miss you”.
Esta historia es de la edición July 26, 2020 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 26, 2020 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
