Bernard Laporte will step back from his role as president of the French Rugby Federation after his corruption conviction, but he could return to the top office.

Former France coach Laporte wanted to remain in charge at the federation (FFR), but on Monday accepted a ruling by its ethics committee that he must relinquish power.

Handed a two-year suspended prison sentence last Tuesday, Laporte stepped down from his role as vice-chairman of World Rugby within hours as an act of "self-suspension." Now he will follow a similar tack with French rugby's top authority.

An investigation examined a number of decisions made by Laporte that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 side Montpellier, including the award of a shirt sponsorship deal for the France national team to Altrad's construction business.

Laporte, who was France's head coach between 1999 and 2007, was also hit with a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the Paris Criminal Court.

He has denied any wrongdoing and is to appeal against his court punishments. Consequently, the FFR has not ousted Laporte permanently at this stage, giving him the chance to clear his name.

The ethics committee told the 58-year-old he must accept "provisional withdrawal, as a precaution until a final criminal decision" from all presidential duties, with a temporary successor to be put in place.

According to the FFR, Laporte elected to follow the instruction "to the letter." He will remain president, officially at least, but be powerless.

"He is asked to withdraw temporarily while the final criminal decision is made," the federation said.

"This implies in particular that the president will no longer participate in the various decision-making bodies of the French Rugby Federation, and will no longer sign any commitment under the FFR."

The FFR said it intended for the action to take effect after a meeting between Laporte and Amelie Oudea-Castera, France's sports minister, which is scheduled for Thursday.

Oudea-Castera was among the first to call for Laporte to step down following his conviction, saying it would be inappropriate for him to remain in control ahead of France hosting the Rugby World Cup next year.

She has also voiced opposition to the idea of a stand-in president, questioning the "legitimacy" of such a presence at the top of the organisation.

Steve Borthwick has been appointed England's new head coach on a five-year contract.

The former Red Rose captain leaves Leicester Tigers to take over from Eddie Jones, who was sacked earlier this month.

Borthwick previously served as a forwards coach alongside Jones when England reached the 2019 World Cup final.

The new man at the helm also worked with Jones during the Australian's time in charge of Japan, and he vacates his Leicester role after winning the Premiership title last season.

The 43-year-old brings rugby league great Kevin Sinfield with him from the Tigers as defence coach.

Former lock Borthwick played 57 Tests for England and was part of the squad that reached the 2007 World Cup final.

The 43-year-old's first match in charge will be England's Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 4, with Argentina their first Rugby World Cup opponents in Marseille on September 9.

Confirmation came in a statement from England Rugby, which read: "Former England captain and forwards coach Steve Borthwick has been announced as England men's head coach from today.

"Kevin Sinfield has also been appointed to the position of England men's defence coach, taking on the role this week."

Borthwick said: "I'm deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach, and I am very excited by the challenge.

"The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team which makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did. I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play.

"The hard work starts now and planning for the Guinness Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything.”

Bernard Laporte has been told he must stand down as president of the French Rugby Federation after his corruption conviction, reports said on Friday.

Former France coach Laporte had signalled an intention to remain at the helm of the federation (FFR), but the organisation's own ethics committee has decided he must go.

According to French newspapers Le Parisien and L'Equipe, the ethics committee has served Laporte with an injunction insisting he vacates his post.

Should Laporte not follow the instruction to leave office, the ethics committee would reportedly have the power to take control of the FFR disciplinary commission and impose sanctions on the 58-year-old president.

"We could not stay outside this situation," said the ethics committee, quoted by Le Parisien. "But it took time for the members to come together, far from the media tumult, to make a decision in calm and serenity."

Laporte stepped down from his role as vice-chairman of World Rugby on Tuesday as an act of "self-suspension" after he was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

That came after an investigation which examined a number of decisions that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 side Montpellier, including the award of a shirt sponsorship deal for the France national team to Altrad's construction business.

Laporte, who was France's head coach between 1999 and 2007, was also hit with a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the Paris Criminal Court on Tuesday.

The ban from rugby activities is suspended pending the outcome of Laporte's planned appeal; however, France's sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera and the French National Rugby League have this week both called for Laporte to be replaced.

France will host the Rugby World Cup next year.

Oudea-Castera said it would be inappropriate for Laporte to remain in charge "at a moment as decisive for French rugby as the home stretch before a Rugby World Cup where France will receive nations from all over the world".

The French National Rugby League (LNR) has called on the French Rugby Federation (FFR) to hold new elections after its president Bernard Laporte was found guilty of corruption.

Laporte stepped down from his role as vice-chairman of World Rugby as an act of "self-suspension" after he was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

It came after an investigation which examined a number of decisions that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 side Montpellier, including the award of a shirt sponsorship deal for the France national team to Altrad's construction business.

Laporte, who was France's head coach between 1999 and 2007, also received a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the Paris Criminal Court on Tuesday.

With France hosting the Rugby World Cup next year, the nation's sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera stated Laporte should be replaced as FFR president, and the LNR has now echoed those sentiments.

An LNR press release said: "The LNR Office took note of the decision pronounced Tuesday by the Paris Criminal Court and of the position of the Minister of Sports.

"Faced with this unprecedented situation which is weakening the institution, and after consultation with the presidents of Top 14 and Pro D2, the LNR Board considers that it is appropriate to restore appeasement within French rugby through the organisation of new elections by the FFR, as requested by the Minister of Sports.

"This approach will allow the governance appointed at the end of these elections to move forward serenely towards the major deadlines facing French rugby. 

"Whatever happens, the priority of the LNR and the Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs will remain over the coming months to mobilise all the energies of professional rugby for the success of French rugby, especially as the big goal approaches of the 2023 World Cup."

The French National Rugby League (LNR) has called on the French Rugby Federation (FFR) to hold new elections after its president Bernard Laporte was found guilty of corruption.

Laporte stepped down from his role as vice-chairman of World Rugby as an act of "self-suspension" after he was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

It came after an investigation which examined a number of decisions that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 side Montpellier, including the award of a shirt sponsorship deal for the France national team to Altrad's construction business.

Laporte, who was France's head coach between 1999 and 2007, also received a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the Paris Criminal Court on Tuesday.

With France hosting the Rugby World Cup next year, the nation's sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera stated Laporte should be replaced as FFR president, and the LNR has now echoed those sentiments.

An LNR press release said: "The LNR Office took note of the decision pronounced Tuesday by the Paris Criminal Court and of the position of the Minister of Sports.

"Faced with this unprecedented situation which is weakening the institution, and after consultation with the presidents of Top 14 and Pro D2, the LNR Board considers that it is appropriate to restore appeasement within French rugby through the organisation of new elections by the FFR, as requested by the Minister of Sports.

"This approach will allow the governance appointed at the end of these elections to move forward serenely towards the major deadlines facing French rugby. 

"Whatever happens, the priority of the LNR and the Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs will remain over the coming months to mobilise all the energies of professional rugby for the success of French rugby, especially as the big goal approaches of the 2023 World Cup."

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick says he would love to offer some clarity over his future amid reports he is in line to lead England.

The Rugby Football Union are attempting to secure the Premiership Rugby winner to succeed Eddie Jones following the Australian's dismissal earlier this month.

With less than a year until the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, the search for a new head coach appears to have centred itself upon Borthwick.

But speaking ahead of his side's European Rugby Champions Cup clash with Clermont this weekend, the 43-year-old acknowledged he was unable to offer any information over his future.

"I know I'm coaching here this weekend against Clermont on Saturday," he said.

"That's what I am working towards. I'd love to give you clarity [around] everything going forward [but] unfortunately, I can't.

"For me, all I do is try to concentrate on giving the best for this team and these players that I care for very deeply.

"I will try and coach them to the best level I possibly can."

Borthwick was assistant coach under Jones with Japan, before linking up with the Australian in the England camp in 2015, with the pair reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup final together.

He stayed there until 2020, when he departed the national set-up to take charge at Welford Road, winning the top-flight title last season with the Tigers.

Any move to take Borthwick to England would leave Leicester potentially looking for two replacements, with defence coach Kevin Sinfield having been linked to follow him to Twickenham.

Bernard Laporte has stepped away from his role as vice-chairman of World Rugby in what was described as a "self-suspension" after receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence for corruption.

The French Rugby Federation president, who is also a former France head coach, came under investigation over a number of decisions that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 club Montpellier.

Those decisions including the awarding of a shirt sponsorship deal for the France national team to Altrad's construction business.

Laporte was also handed a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the Paris Criminal Court on Tuesday, and French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said he should be replaced as head of the FFR.

France will be hosts of the Rugby World Cup next year, and Oudea-Castera said it was inappropriate under current circumstances for Laporte to hold such a prominent role.

Laporte's lawyers announced there will be an appeal against the punishments, and his sporting punishment will also be formally put on hold until that is heard. He and Altrad denied wrongdoing.

It is clear, however, there is concern both within France and at World Rugby about Laporte remaining in his lofty positions, and the self-suspension is just the first step in the process of it being determined whether he has a future with the global governing body.

He appears unlikely to be banished by the FFR for now, pending his court appeal, although it remains to be seen whether Laporte suspends himself from that role.

World Rugby said in a statement: "World Rugby notes the decision by World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte to self-suspend from all positions held within its governance structures with immediate effect following his conviction by the French court in relation to domestic matters, and pending his appeal.

"While acknowledging Laporte's self-suspension and right of appeal, given the serious nature of the verdict World Rugby's executive committee has referred the matter to its independent ethics officer for review in accordance with its integrity code.

"World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the independent process."

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte must leave office after receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence for corruption, sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said.

The Paris Criminal Court announced the punishment on Tuesday, after investigating a number of marketing decisions made by Laporte that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 club Montpellier, including a shirt sponsorship deal for his construction business with the France national team.

Laporte was also handed a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the court, raising the possibility of him being out of office before France hosts next year's Rugby World Cup. Altrad was given an 18-month suspended sentence and a €50,000 fine.

The court heard Laporte had taken his actions while also agreeing a personal image rights deal with Altrad that was worth €180,000 to the former France coach, according to Le Parisien and other French media.

Laporte's lawyers announced there will be an appeal against the punishments. Prosecutors had been seeking jail time for both he and Altrad.

The French federation (FFR) said Laporte would stay as president pending the outcome of his appeal. Laporte is also a vice-chairman of World Rugby, which said its executive committee would meet later on Tuesday to consider the outcome.

Laporte and Altrad had denied wrongdoing, and Oudea-Castera said the planned appeal from Laporte should be allowed to run its course.

But her office said in a statement: "In terms of good governance, the minister considers that this new context prevents Bernard Laporte from being able, as it stands, to continue his mission in good conditions at the head of a delegated federation of a public service mission, at a moment as decisive for French rugby as the home stretch before a Rugby World Cup where France will receive nations from all over the world.

"The minister therefore calls for a new democratic era allowing French rugby as quickly as possible to restart on sufficiently healthy and solid bases, with a governance of the federation which will have the full confidence of the clubs and will be able to bring people together.

"It is therefore up to the authorities of the federation that it is now up to them to take up their responsibilities."

Montpellier issued a statement that read: "The Paris Criminal Court delivered a decision at the start of the afternoon which, on the merits, is not fully satisfactory, although the sentences are very different and well below the requisitions requested, which testifies to the insufficiency of the elements of this file."

It said Altrad's lawyers would consider whether to appeal, adding: "It is essential to emphasise that Montpellier Herault Rugby is neither targeted nor impacted by this decision and that Mohed Altrad will continue to invest his time and energy in his management missions for his club, its employees and its partners."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland says Ireland counterpart Andy Farrell is the only real contender to lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour to Australia in 2025.

Gatland was in charge of the Lions on consecutive tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

The 59-year-old's shock return as Wales boss last week means he may now be in the running for the next tour in two and a half years' time.

However, Gatland believes on current credentials, Farrell is perfectly suited for the role following his impressive work with Ireland.

"If you are picking a Lions coach at the moment, there is only one person that I think is in contention," he told reporters. "He is across the water and living in Dublin at the minute. 

"If you are successful, those opportunities come along. I hadn't even thought about [the Lions tour]. I am just thinking about the next 10 months.

"I am well aware of how important the Six Nations and World Cup are next year.

"I don't plan my pathway. I am a believer of if you are in the right place at the right time, then opportunities come along. What will be, will be."

Farrell oversaw a historic Test series triumph against New Zealand in July and then added the scalps of South Africa and Australia in November.

Ireland are top of the world rankings, whereas Wales are down in ninth on the back of a poor year that led to the dismissal of Wayne Pivac.

Gatland has been tasked with turning things around in his second spell at the helm, with a showdown against Ireland first up in Wales' 2023 Six Nations opener on February 4.

"Facing them first is probably good, as they are the best team in the world, and rightly so," Gatland said.

"Getting them first up at home is not the worst thing. It's a tournament of momentum. You win your first game and you've got a good chance of doing well.

"To get them first up, it's probably the one game you want at home – playing against the best team where there is probably a bit more pressure on them.

"I think we will be pretty excited about getting ready for the game."

Eddie Jones will return to Twickenham next May following his dismissal as England coach as he takes charge of the Barbarians against a World XV.

The Australian was sacked less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup after overseeing a dismal 2022 in charge of the national side.

Though the Rugby Football Union has not yet moved to find a successor ahead of the tournament in France, Jones has lined up a new gig and will lead the invitational side for a second time.

Having previously coached them in 2019 – and having lost to them earlier this year in a 52-21 defeat – the 62-year-old is relishing the opportunity to do so again.

"It's an incredible honour to be asked to coach the Barbarians for a second time," he said.

"The club showed during the autumn that the values and traditions which make the Barbarians so special are still very much alive.

"Fans can expect to see two top-quality teams, packed full of international players, going all out to catch the eye ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

"I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium – a venue I have so many fond memories of – as head coach of the Barbarians, and I'm more motivated than ever to put on a show."

Steve Hansen, who won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, will lead the World XV, which will reunite him and rival Jones in what they hope will be an entertaining contest.

"Going up against Steve rekindles a great rivalry which first started in our days competing in Super Rugby and progressed into the international arena," he added.

"It'll be a great challenge and one I'm sure we're both relishing."

England captain Owen Farrell has called the decision to sack Eddie Jones as head coach "unbelievably disappointing".

Jones won three Six Nations titles and took the team to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final during his seven years as head coach.

However, he was relieved of his duties on Tuesday after a run of form that has seen England win just five of their 12 Tests in 2022. 

The announcement comes with just nine months to go until the World Cup, while England are due to get their Six Nations campaign underway against Scotland on February 4.

The decision to sack Jones has been a polarising one, with former England back-row James Haskell labelling  it "utter madness" and insisting Jones was the best coach he had played under.

Farrell is the latest to speak out on his frustration over Jones being fired, telling the BBC: "It's unbelievably disappointing.

"Eddie had been a big part of England Rugby for a long time now and he has been one of the best coaches I have ever had so, for that, I'm massively thankful.

"We are disappointed it has finished early and we owe a lot to him. I have been around for a while now and not been around too many changes, both at club and international level. It's not pleasant to go through.

"I don't think it has come from the players. There is obviously stuff we all want to get better at from the results but as players you look at yourself and see what you can do."

Farrell explained he had spoken to Jones since the announcement, adding: "We have exchanged a few messages and hopefully I will see him [again]."

Eddie Jones says his next step will be "the right job at the right time" following his England exit, as rumours of a return to the Australia national set-up rumble on.

The coach was dismissed on the back of a frustrating 2022, less than a year out from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

As England move to find his successor, with Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick considered the frontrunner, talk has swirled over Jones potentially linking up with the Wallabies.

The 62-year-old however is happy to wait on his future, having also mooted a cross-code switch to rugby league, and suggests he will not rush into a decision.

"Everyone knows I love a scrap, and I'm up for whatever challenge is next," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm open to looking at everything in rugby, and I've made no secret of my wish to give the NRL a go, too.

"Nothing is off the table. Nothing. It's all about the right job at the right time, and I'll look at it all."

Reflecting on his departure, Jones acknowledged his pride for his England achievements, while stressing he will not adapt to please his cynics.

"In this job I've learnt it's impossible to avoid being moved on," he added. "It comes with the gig. But I'm proud of what we accomplished in my time here, and I wish I had the opportunity to finish what I started.

"All the critics are having their say. My only response is that I have coached a certain way my whole career and I'm happy with that. I'm not about to change anything."

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed he had contacted Jones on Saturday, but refused to disclose what he had discussed with him.

Jones previously led his home country between 2001 and 2005, and was in charge when they lost the 2003 Rugby World Cup final to England.

Eddie Jones should have been given until the conclusion of next year's Rugby World Cup to turn England's results around, according to former centre Mike Tindall. 

The Australian was dismissed on Tuesday following a review of recent results, with England enduring their worst calendar year since 2008 – winning just five of their 12 Tests in 2022.

A 27-13 defeat to South Africa proved to be the final straw for Jones, who walks away with the best win rate (73 per cent) of any head coach in England's history, having won 59 of his 81 Tests at the helm.

While Tindall acknowledges the reasons behind the decision to make a change, he would have preferred for Jones to lead England at the World Cup in France, which starts on September 8.

"It's a really difficult one because Eddie does divide opinion," Tindall, who won the World Cup in 2003, told ITV.

"I would say I don't agree with their decision to part ways, [but] I understand why they've done it.

"I still think he's still delivered an 18-game winning streak and he's produced probably the best England performance that's ever been seen against New Zealand in 2019.

"If you look from 2019 to where we are now, the results aren't quite as good, so it really is a difficult one, but I would've stuck with him and then changed after the World Cup."

 

Jones guided England to their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 13 years in 2016 before winning the tournament again in 2017 and 2020, while also reaching the 2019 World Cup final.

The 62-year-old also won his first 17 games with England, which was part of an 18-game winning streak overall, the joint longest of any Tier 1 nation.

Forwards coach Richard Cockerill will step up to lead England on an interim basis, with Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick the favourite for the permanent position.

Tindall added: "I think it's hard now. Say a new coach comes in now and does fantastically well through the Six Nations and then the World Cup, everyone will say it has Eddie's DNA on it. 

"It will be sort of like what he got off [predecessor] Stuart Lancaster when he came in too, and then if you do poorly, it's the new guy's fault."

England's decision to sack head coach Eddie Jones nine months before the Rugby World Cup is "utter madness", according to former back-row James Haskell.

Jones' fate was confirmed on Tuesday following a review by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) into recent results.

England have endured their worst calendar year since 2008 in terms of results, having won just five of their 12 Tests in 2022, most recently going down 27-13 to South Africa.

Despite a disappointing year, however, Jones bows out with the best win rate (73 per cent) of any head coach in England's history, having won 59 of his 81 Tests at the helm.

Haskell, who played under Jones prior to retiring in 2019, believes the Australian should have remained in the position until his contract expired after next year's World Cup.

"Personally, I think it's utter madness," he told Sky Sports. "You've literally taken the most successful World Cup coach and binned him nine months before a World Cup.

"He's been to three World Cup finals [two as head coach, one as a technical adviser], he's won one [with South Africa as technical adviser, 2007] and lost two."

Jones led England to their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 13 years in 2016, then won the Six Nations tournament again in 2017 and 2020, while also reaching the 2019 World Cup final.

He won his first 17 games with England, which was part of an 18-game win streak overall, the joint longest of any Tier 1 nation.

 

The 62-year-old will be replaced by forwards coach Richard Cockerill on an interim basis, with Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick the favourite to take over permanently.

"The best thing is, the person [the RFU] want to replace Jones with at this point in time, and obviously it's an ever-movable feast, is not available," Haskell added. 

"So you're going to put someone else in charge for the Six Nations who hasn't been an international coach.

"All because of some grumpy old journalists, and miserable fans, who decided to gang up to get rid of him. It's pretty much the story of the modern world."

Borthwick worked alongside Jones with Japan and England before taking over at Leicester in 2020 and guiding them to the Premiership title last season.

While Haskell questioned the decision to replace Jones, fellow former England player Ugo Monye has backed Borthwick to succeed if he is appointed.

"If he is the man, I think it is a great appointment," Monye told Rugby Union Weekly. "We don't have nine months to experiment, we have nine months to nail our identity.

"He gets it. He understands the personality of the game at the domestic level, what the players want, what the fans want, it feels like a necessity to connect all that together."

Eddie Jones leaves behind a legacy of "misguided rhetoric and unfulfilled promises" following his dismissal as England coach, says Clive Woodward.

The Australian was sacked nine months out from the Rugby World Cup after overseeing the nation's worst calendar-year record for over a decade, winning just five out of 12 Test matches.

With Jones having led England to the final of the last tournament in Japan in 2019, the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) decision represents a major gamble so close to next year's competition in France.

But Woodward, a frequent critic of Jones over a difficult year, feels he has paid the price for his distractions since defeat to South Africa in Yokohama. 

"He's a much better coach than he has shown over the past three years," he wrote in the Daily Mail. "He is a shadow of the Jones I competed with and whose first years with England were so successful and rightfully applauded.

"He became completely focused on the 2023 World Cup and that was a costly error. He lost focus of simply winning the next game and allowed himself to get distracted

"What will [his] legacy be? The semi-final victory over New Zealand was his best performance, but unfortunately, he will be remembered for the misguided rhetoric and unfulfilled promises.

"I don't think history will remember this period of English rugby too kindly."

Leicester coach Steve Borthwick, who steered his side to the Premiership Rugby title last term, has been tipped as a likely successor to Jones in charge of England.

But Woodward says that, if selected, the RFU must allow him to put his own stamp on the team, including bringing his Tigers assistant Kevin Sinfield, the former rugby league playmaker, into the fold.

"If it is Steve Borthwick who comes in, then we've all got to get behind him and I wish him all the best," he added. "He must be given the full support and resources to ensure there are no excuses.

"He must be allowed to bring in his own team, and if I was him, I would bring Kevin Sinfield over from Leicester. The players will have a second chance and there is enough talent out there to go and win next year’s World Cup."

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