Rags-to-riches businessman is first to have name on shirts of French rugby team

Billionaire Mohed Altrad, famous for his ‘rags to riches’ life, has become the first businessman to have his firm’s name on the shirts of the French rugby team.

Until now France had been the only major international rugby-playing nationl whose team’s shirts bore no commercial sponsor logo, other than name of the makers of the kit.

The team sported shirts with the Altrad name in their Six Nations game against Italy on Saturday, when they won 40-18.

Mr Altrad, owner of an international building equipment company and chairman of Montpellier Hérault rugby club, has had an extraordinary life story, as he told Connexion in this 2015 interview.

Born in a tent in the Syrian desert, his determination saw him through studies in France and a meteoric career which led to him being voted the world’s best entrepreneur by global accounting firm EY.

Now his name features on the shirts of Les Bleus, at least until the end of November this year, in connection with Mr Altrad having sponsored France’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The shirts say #France2023 Soutenu par Altrad.

“I’m someone who likes to identify myself with great things, due to my origins and what France has given me,” Mr Altrad told journalists.

The size of the sponsorship deal has only been described as ‘between €0 and €3m’. Altrad, which has a presence in 120 countries, will help promote the French bid against those from Ireland and South Africa.

The choice will be made on November 15.

French national rugby team captain Guilhem Guirado (left) celebrates Saturday’s win with teammate Kevin Gourde: