Raymond Gruppi

Personal life He is the brother of the former rugby league player Jacques Gruppi, as well of the former rugby union player Pierre Gruppi. His sons are Enzo Gruppi and Thibaut Gruppi, who play for Villeneuve XIII RLLG. In the civil life, outside the field, he worked as a seedsman.

Biography He spent most of his playing career at Villeneuve-sur-Lot, playing the French Championship, which eventually ended as runner-up in 1965, and at the Lord Derby Cup a season later. With his club performances, he was called up several times for the French national team between 1959 and 1971, taking part in the 1960 and 1970 World Cups.

Later, he was appointed as coach for Villeneuve-sur-Lot with new successes with the victory at the Lord Derby Cup in 1979 and in the French Championship in 1980. He was also appointed as coach for France alongside Jean Panno, debuting with a 24-16 win against Great Britain on 17 March 1985.

He was called up for the France squad at the 1960 Rugby League World Cup alongside his teammates Angélo Boldini, Jacques Dubon, André Lacaze and Jacques Merquey. Later, he was called up again to represent France at the 1970 Rugby League World Cup with his new team mates Jean-Pierre Clar, Gérard Cremoux, Daniel Pellerin and Christian Sabatié.

Honours

As player

Team honours : Winner of the French Championship : 1964 (Villeneuve-sur-Lot). Winner of the Lord Derby Cup : 1964 Runner-up at the French Championship : 1981 (Villeneuve-sur-Lot).