It is with great sadness that we learned of the news that World Rugby's Rugby Services Manager for Africa, Jean-Luc Barthes has passed away.
A much-loved and highly-valued member of the World Rugby team, Jean-Luc was hugely respected and greatly appreciated by the African rugby family for his passion and dedication to growing the game across the region.
His deep love of rugby, and personification of its character-building values, was also evident to all who met him.
Jean-Luc's strong and enduring legacy during 14 years working for World Rugby alongside his friends and colleagues at Rugby Africa and at the unions across the region, will be record and sustainable participation growth across a region that continues to be at the heart of the rugby success story.
Jean-Luc will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him and the thoughts and prayers of the global rugby family are with his family at this very difficult time.