Jacques Brunel will be the man to lead France into the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations after being named to replace the outgoing Guy Noves.
The change at the top comes just five weeks before the NatWest 6 Nations gets underway, when France will look to improve on a third-place finish in the 2017 Championship.
Noves was appointed to replace Philippe Saint-Andre following the 2015 Rugby World Cup but won just seven of 21 games during a two-year spell at the helm – and failed to lead his side to a single victory in any of their three recent autumn internationals.
Brunel – currently in charge of Top 14 side Bordeaux Begles – will take up the post following Bordeaux’s clash with Stade Francais this weekend and has signed a contract until the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
The 63-year-old was formerly head coach of Italy between 2011 and 2016 and while French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte felt he was left with no choice but to part company with Noves, he believes Brunel is the right man to take the team forward.
“I wish it had lasted all the way to Japan with Guy and his staff but at some point, something had to be done,” said Laporte.
“We could not stay that way anymore and we took responsibility. This is a painful situation for him and for us but we could not continue like this.
“Several people could have been appointed but I know Jacques Brunel well – he has experience at the highest level.
“He is passionate about his players and his ability to organise is his great strength. He is the person who can shoulder this heavy responsibility.
“What is certain is that something had to be done, it could not last. One of our priorities is to bring together the world of rugby around this France XV.
“If we do not create a real unity around Les Bleus, we will run into a brick wall.”
