FRANCE’S GREATEST RUGBY PLAYERS – JO MASO

Jo Maso left a significant impact on French rugby. Born on December 27th, 1944, in Toulouse, France. Maso had a successful career both as a player and a coach. Maso was a skillful center who played for the French national team from 1966 to 1973. He earned a total of 25 caps for Les Bleus during this period. His playing career coincided with a competitive era of French rugby. And he was known for his strong tackling, precise passing, and intelligent decision-making on the field.

France Rugby Jo Maso

He started his rugby career as a professional rugby league footballer for XIII Catalan, the son of the French rugby league internationalist Jep Maso. However, he switched to union. He played club rugby for Narbonne, Toulonnais and Perpignan. He debuted for France against Italy in Naples in 1966. Then he also toured Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa with the national side. And played three times for the Barbarians.

Player, Coach, and France Rugby Manager

Maso played both centre and fly-half for the France national rugby union team, gaining 25 caps. He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003.  He also made an impact on French rugby after he retired as a player and transitioned into administration positions. He took up various coaching roles and became an influential figure in French rugby management.

Grand Slams, Six Nations Title & Rugby World Cup Final

One of the most memorable periods of Maso’s career was his time as an assistant coach/manager for the French national team during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was part of the coaching staff under Bernard Laporte when France achieved significant success.

France’s Golden Era: Under the guidance of Jo Maso and Bernard Laporte, France experienced a remarkable run of success. The French team secured several notable achievements during this period, including Grand Slams, Six Nations Titles, and a Rugby World Cup Final.

Influenced France Rugby

Jo Maso was admired for his rugby knowledge, tactical acumen, and excellent man-management skills. His ability to connect with players and create a cohesive team environment was crucial to France’s success. He held influential positions within the French Rugby Federation and contributed to the development of the sport at the grassroots level.

France Rugby Golden Era

Overall, Jo Maso’s career in French rugby, both as a player, coach, and manager, left a lasting impact on the sport in the country. His involvement in the team’s golden era and his contributions to the game’s growth in France have made him a respected and beloved figure within the rugby community.

France Rugby Six Nations Collection

Also, we celebrate the many great French rugby players and the great France rugby teams with our classic clothing collections. To view our retro Six Nations rugby range click HERE.