Msr Ferrasse, one of the greatest administrative figureheads in the world game over the past half-century, passed away last week at the age of 93. During a lifetime dedicated to rugby he played for his home town club Agen, became their President and then went on to head the FFR, FIRA and the IRB.
As a fearsome lock he played in two French Championship finals with Agen, picking up a winners medal in 1945, and then turned his hand to refereeing. he took charge of the 1959 French Championship final between racing Club and Mont-de-Marsan.
He was President of Agen from 1965-85 and President of the FFR from 1968-91. He also acted as President of FIRA and was at the head of the IRB when the Rugby World Cup was introduced in 1987.
In fact, it was as Chairman of the IRB that he handed over the Webb Ellis Trophy to the captain of New Zealand, David Kirk, after the inaugural final in Auckland. The All Blacks had just beaten France in the final.
In 1984 he was honoured with the Legion d’honneur by the French state and has had a stand named after him by Agen at their home ground.
“I’m not sure we will ever see another rugby man like Albert Ferrasse. He was totally committed to the game he grew up with and loved so much,” said WRU chairman David Pickering.
“He was a towering figure in both French and world rugby and commanded total respect from his counterparts around the globe. His work with both the IRB and FIRA in spreading the rugby gospel has reaped huge rewards for the game.
“Our condolences go to his family, and to the whole of French rugby, following the passing of a great rugby man.”
