The death of Clermont president Eric de Cromières, aged 66, hascast a sombre shadow over French rugby.The former sales director of Michelin took thereins at the club in 2013, on the retire-ment of René Fontès. On his watch,Clermont won the Top 14 for just thesecond time in their history in 2017,and the European Challenge Cup in2019. They also reached the Top 14final in 2015, and Champions Cupfinals in 2015 and 2017.
He announced in July that he hadbeen battling cancer for several months. “There are so many peopleliving in dire situations in the worldthat I’m...