Tributes pour in as former French winger Christophe Dominici dies, aged 48

Tributes have been pouring in for Christophe Dominici following the sudden death of former France international winger.

Dominici represented his country 65 times between 1998 and 2007, scoring 25 tries and was regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation. Despite his diminutive stature, Dominici surprised many with a blistering turn of pace and stunning agility for both France and the club at which he spent the majority of his career, Stade Français.

He is perhaps best remembered for his performance during the infamous Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand, where he scored a sensational try off the back of a wicked bounce. His try put France in the lead of the game, which was effectively wrapped up after centre Richard Dourthe touched down after a length-of-the-field counter-attack.

In 2007, shortly before being picked for the World Cup squad by Bernard Laporte, Dominici released an autobiography, in which he admitted to suffering severe bouts of depression after the death of his sister and separation from his wife, and the fact that he had been abused as a youngster.

AFP reported that, according to official police sources, Dominici was found dead in the Saint-Cloud park in the Parisian suburbs on Tuesday afternoon, allegedly after jumping from an abandonned building.

🖤 C’est avec une immense tristesse et un profond déchirement que le Stade Français Paris a appris la disparition de Christophe Dominici.

Génie du rugby et compagnon hors pair, il laisse un grand vide dans notre grande famille. Nos pensées vont à sa compagne et à ses filles. 🙏

— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) November 24, 2020

Several figures within the world of French rugby paid tribute to the magician that was Dominici, including former team-mates Vincent Clerc and Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde, while French Sports Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer also passed on his condolences in parliament.

Merci domi pour tout ce que tu as apporté au rugby français et tous ces bons moments passés avec toi … pic.twitter.com/OjN7gotx2z

— Vincent Clerc (@VincentClerc) November 24, 2020

Mort de Christophe Dominici: l’émotion de Blanquer et des députés à l’Assemblée nationale pic.twitter.com/arGwOOKzua

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) November 24, 2020