Former French international player and coach Gilles Dumas has been appointed as a director of European Rugby League, replacing Luc Lacoste who recently resigned from his position due to ill health.

Dumas’s playing career saw him make 27 appearances for France between 1986 and 1993 and he also coached the national team for 24 games between 1998 and 2003, winning 10 of those fixtures. He is currently the high performance director within the French Federation and will bring elite level experience to the ERL board.

“I am very proud to be representing the FFRXIII on the board of European Rugby League,” he said. “France’s position in rugby league in Europe is very important and plays a leading role in the development and growth of the game on the continent. I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to the board.”

The European Rugby League board is made up of nine directors, four independent, three member-elected and two nominated by the Rugby Football League (England) and the French Rugby League Federation respectively. In turn, European Rugby League nominates three directors to the board of International Rugby League, with ERL chair Dean Andrew set to replace Lacoste on the IRL board. 

“I am very pleased to welcome Gilles to the ERL board,” noted Dean Andrew. “His experience will add to the existing skill set of the current members and his knowledge of the international game in Europe will be very welcome. At the same time, I am looking forward to joining the board of International Rugby League and representing our members from Europe, the Americas and Middle East Africa.”