The World Rugby Hall of Fame holds only a few dozen names. Two familiar figures from French rugby have just joined it.

Benazzi, from Morocco to the France captaincy

Abdelatif Benazzi, born in Oujda, wore the France shirt for eleven seasons and went on to become captain. A back-rower and later a lock, he played at three World Cups and won two Grand Slams, in 1997 and 1998.

At club level, he played for Cahors, Agen, Toulouse and then Saracens. He now sits on the World Rugby Council.

Dominguez, Stade Français’s goal-kicker

Diego Dominguez, born in Córdoba, Argentina, chose Italy, his family’s country of origin, and became its emblematic fly-half. He won 76 caps for the Azzurri and was long among the very top points scorers in the history of international rugby.

In France, his name is inseparable from Stade Français, with whom he won several league titles from 1998 onwards.

A wider intake

England’s Sue Day, a former fifteens and sevens international who went on to become an executive at the Rugby Football Union, is also among this year’s inductees.