An ugly fall-out following Guy Noves’ sacking as France coach has started, with the French Rugby Union reportedly building a case of serious misconduct against their former chief.
Noves and his coaching staff, comprising Yannick Bru and Jean-Frederic Dubois, were dismissed on Wednesday by Bernard Laporte, the French Rugby (FFR) president.
It was the first time a French coach had been sacked before his contract was up.
Reports in the French media suggest that Noves and his coaching team are being pursued for serious misconduct so that the FFR does not have to pay off their contracts.
The trio had deals up to 2019 and are thought to be owed up to £3million in severance pay.
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The misconduct allegation against Noves is thought to centre on his apparent lack of communication and visits to Top 14 clubs and players.
French newspaper L’Equipe have suggested this could be the start of an ‘open war’ between Noves and the French Union.