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France coaching set-up suffers major exit in World Cup fallout - report
By Josh Raisey
In the wake of their World Cup quarter-final exit, France have suffered another departure with general manager Raphael Ibanez leaving his post, according to French outlet Midi Olympique.
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The former France captain worked as team manager alongside head coach Fabien Galthie throughout the last World Cup cycle, helping Les Bleus arrive at their home World Cup as one of the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. But in the fallout from the disappointing loss to eventual champions South Africa, Midi Olympique report that he has left his role, but will still remain involved with the French Rugby Federation.
It was only at the beginning of this year that the 50-year-old signed a contract extension until 2028, while Galthie also signed an extension until 2027.
After signing the new deal in January, the 98-cap hooker said to Europe 1 radio: “It’s time to tell you a secret. As it is working well, I’m going to extend the adventure because it’s the most beautiful and the most intense that we can live, so I have signed until June 2028.
“It’s the greatest adventure, when you’re passionate about rugby, when you’re passionate and committed.”
This is not the first exit within the French coaching team, as it was agreed prior to the World Cup that attack coach Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal would join Stade Francais.
France have already seen a couple of players retire after the World Cup as well, with both Uini Atonio and Romain Taofifénua bowing out of Test rugby (although reports have emerged that Galthie has convinced Atonio to come out of retirement). On top of that, captain Antoine Dupont is expected to miss the Six Nations as he tries his hand at rugby sevens in the hope of making the France team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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