Bernard Laporte has been taken into custody for questioning by the French Financial Prosecution Office (PNF) on Tuesday.
The vice-president of World Rugby is under investigation for his dealings with Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad.
Laporte is suspected of pressuring the appeals committee of the Top 14 to reduce a disciplinary punishment against Montpellier.
Altrad, the billionaire backer of the Top 14 club whose company’s name adorns the France jersey, is also under arrest. He also almost bought Gloucester in 2017.
Serge Simon, vice-president of the FFR, Nicolas Hourquet who is responsible for international relations at the Federation and Claude Atcher who is director general of the organising committee for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Sir Clive Woodward selects his Lions 2021 XV
BACK-THREE: Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Liam Williams (Wales), Anthony Watson (England)
“I’d start these three, but could have Jonny May and Josh Adams adding pace off the bench.”
CENTRES: Manu Tuilagi (England) & Jonathan Davies (Wales)
“Similar partnership to Te’o and Davies in 2017, but with even more power.”
