FRENCH RUGBY MOURNING THE LOSS OF ‘ LEGEND’ DOMINICI

FORMER rugby international Christophe Dominici, who was found dead at the age of 48 in a park near Paris on Tuesday, was undoubtedly one of the legends of modern French rugby.

The diminutive Dominici — he was 1.72m and 82kg — scored 25 tries in 67 Tests for France, including eight tries across three World Cups. He had perfect balance, a deceptive change of pace and a shimmy that could lose and confuse defenders, as it did on October 31, 1999 when his try against a Jonah Lomu- fuelled New Zealand helped France to the greatest comeback in the history of the World Cup.

His second- half try in a remarkable semi- final, ducking between two All Blacks to grab a bouncing ball one- handed before skating down the left touchline, put the French ahead for the first time as they overturned a 14- point deficit to reach the final. It was a try that caught the imagination of rugby folk around the world.

The head of the French Rugby Federation ( FFR), Bernard Laporte, broke the news to the France squad preparing to face Italy on Saturday under the guidance of two of Dominici’s team- mates in the famous 1999 game, hooker Raphael Ibanez and scrum- half Fabien Galthie.

“We were in a working session this afternoon... when Bernard Laporte informed us both of this terrible news. We are in shock,” said Ibanez, now a France coach.

Head coach Galthie was visibly moved as he promised France would “pay tribute” at the game against Italy. The FFR described Dominici as “a legend and an emblematic player” who had “left his imprint on an entire generation of rugby”.