Former France captain and coach Fouroux dies

Jacques Fouroux

PARIS - Former France rugby captain and coach Jacques Fouroux died from a heart attack on Saturday, aged 58.

Fouroux suffered the attack at his home in southwestern Auch, local emergency services said.

"We have lost a gentleman of rugby, a great player, the captain of the 1977 team, a unique competitor," said France team manager Jo Maso.

"He wanted to be the best at everything he did," Maso told French radio station France Info.

A pocket-sized scrumhalf, Fouroux won 28 caps for France from 1972 to 1977 and captained the side during their memorable Grand Slam-winning campaign in the 1977 Five Nations tournament.

He coached France from 1981 to 1990, guiding them to the final of the inaugural World Cup in 1987.

- REUTERS