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French rugby bigwig replaces Bill Sweeney as RFU rep on EPCR board

A Investec Champions Cup corner flag during the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final match between Northampton Saints and Castres Olympique at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on April 12, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

CEO of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) Jérémie Lecha has been appointed to the Board of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).

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He will represent both the FFR and England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Lecha replaces Chief Executive of the RFU Bill Sweeney, who completed a four-year term on the EPCR Board. Sweeney will remain involved as he moves into EPCR’s General Assembly.

It is an unusual arrangement, with a prominent French rugby official acting on behalf of both France and England at Europe’s top level.

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Lecha was named CEO of the FFR in April 2024. Under his leadership, France’s men’s and U20 squads each clinched Six Nations titles.

Before joining the FFR, Lecha served as Group CEO of the French agribusiness giant Groupe Roullier. During that tenure the company was praised by the European Commission and the French National Olympic and Sports Committee for championing sport in the workplace.

EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay hailed Lecha’s appointment, calling him “deeply committed to the growth of rugby.”

He also highlighted Lecha’s passion for the game’s core values. “We are absolutely delighted Jérémie has accepted our invitation to join the Board,” McKay said.

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Lecha described his nomination as an honour. He noted France’s storied involvement in EPCR competitions and pledged to represent both French and English interests with care. He views it as a pivotal responsibility.

The news arrives just as EPCR’s premier tournaments enter a critical stage. More than a million fans have already turned out for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, suggesting a renewed interest in the competition.

Union Bordeaux-Bègles will face Stade Toulousain, while Leinster Rugby meet Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup. Lyon Olympique Universitaire face Racing 92, and Edinburgh Rugby tackle Bath Rugby in the Challenge Cup.

Both finals take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 23 and 24 May. The EPCR Challenge Cup Final comes first, followed by the Investec Champions Cup Final. It’s the 30th season of European professional club rugby, returning to the city that hosted the original final three decades ago.

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Flankly 13 minutes ago
Late Makazole Mapimpi try earns the Sharks win away to Edinburgh

Jake White described this as the strongest Sharks lineup ever. There is no doubt that it is at least an impressive roster. They did win, which is obviously an achievement against a good Edinburgh side. However …


For much of the first half Edinburgh seemed easily able to create 2 on 1 opportunities on both wings, with the defensive wingers biting in on the inside runner and cover defence being AWOL. Conversely the Sharks showed little ability to get behind the Edinburgh defensive line, with the sole exception of a nicely-exploited Am mismatch against a second row (which led to the Fassi try).


In general the Sharks, with their full complement of Bok firepower, do not look that dangerous in attack, and while tackling was good on the whole and goal line defence was impressive at times, they were exhibiting surprising breakdowns in open play defensive structures.


Also, the Sharks continue to be inaccurate, with material impact on the scoreboard. Missing two very kickable penalties is not the way to be the best. It looked to me like the Sharks contestable kicks were not well enough executed, and were too hard to recover.


Not sure what the running attack was trying to do, but my guess is that they were trying to pull off a Harlequins-style bash-and-offload game off of 12 (Esterhuizen). That’s not a terrible idea with the personnel available, but it would require creativity and a precision on second phase that was not in evidence.


Lastly, you have to have better discipline. It’s great that the team can cope with a 13 vs 14 period (of almost 10 minutes), but smart teams a avoid cards.


Having said that it was great to see the win. I thought that Edinburgh were cynical and niggly. Always hanging around on the wrong side of the breakdown, lots of intentional obstruction, illegal dummying at the base of the ruck, etc. They played a dirty game and the ref tolerated it. Always good to see that not succeed.


Overall the “best Sharks lineup ever” scraped the win, but under-performed their Bok-laden potential. Again.

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