Jean-Claude Skrela

Jean-Claude Skrela (born 1 October 1949 in Colomiers, Haute-Garonne) is a former coach of the French national rugby union team. His son, David Skrela, is a French rugby union player and his daughter, Gaëlle Skrela, is a professional basketball player.

Early life Skrela was born in Colomiers near Toulouse in France. His parents were Polish refugees (his father came from the village Kobiela, his mother from the village Charbinowice). He lost his father when he was 12.

Playing career He played for FC Auch and Stade Toulousain and made his debut for in 1971 against . He won forty-six caps and won the Five Nations Championship in 1973 (tie victory) and in 1977 (Grand Slam). He also scored the first four-point try in a major Test match on 20 November 1971, when he charged down a kick from Australian fullback Arthur McGill.

Coaching In 1983, he joined his team-mate Pierre Villepreux as coach of Stade Toulousain. They won three times the home championship, twice against Toulon (in 1985 and in 1989) and against Agen in 1986.

He was appointed director of rugby at Colomiers in 1994 but left his position to replace Pierre Berbizier as French head coach after the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

He became the first European head coach to win on his first attempt against , but he failed to win against and like his predecessor Pierre Berbizier. France suffered a few defeats against lowest level teams, like in 1999 or like in 1997 (Italy was making a lot of progress at this stage), but was also able to make great come backs, like against in 1997 or against in their World Cup semi final at Twickenham. He also made a back-to-back Grand Slam in 1997 and 1998. He suffered a lack of results in 1999 before the World Cup.

After Jacques Fouroux, he became the second head coach to lead France to the World Cup Final, but lost to Australia. He resigned as French head coach on 16 November 1999.

International matches as Head coach

Record by country Opponent Played Won Drew Lost Win ratio (%) For Against 300 159 67 122 33 20 72 70 72 28 105 50 96 81 47 13 84 137 268 51 39 22 134 91 66 123 16 20 189 139 TOTAL 1588 1126

Honours Five Nations Championship Winner 1997, 1998 Rugby World Cup Runner-up 1999 Latin Cup Winner 1995, 1997 Trophée des Bicentenaires Runner-up 1997, 1998

Other honours As a player France Five Nations Championship Winner 1973, 1977 Runner-up 1976, 1978

Stade toulousain France Rugby Union Championship Runner-up 1980 Challenge Yves du Manoir Runner-up 1971

As a coach Stade toulousain France Rugby Union Championship Winner 1985, 1986, 1989 Runner-up 1991 Challenge Yves du Manoir Winner 1988 Runner-up 1984