Former French Rugby Federation president Pierre Camou has died aged 72 after a long illness, the federation has announced.
Camou took charge of the federation between 2008 and 2016 overseeing France's successful 2011 World Cup campaign, where they were beaten in the final by hosts New Zealand.
Camou was also a key figure behind the bid which successfully won the right for France to host the 2023 edition of the tournament.
Former France international Yannick Bru was quick to pay tribute to Camou, describing him as "a brilliant, honourable and upstanding man who served our sport," adding that his death marked "a sad day for French rugby".