Born in the rugby hotbed of south-west France, Nathalie Amiel enjoyed a long and illustrious international and club playing career in Les Bleues’ midfield before successfully moving into coaching.

The long-serving Saint-Orens centre made her international debut at 15 years of age, against Great Britain in London in 1986, and had amassed 56 caps by the time she retired in 2002.

Amiel played in three Women’s Rugby World Cups in 1991, 1994 and 2002, captaining them in the latter when they finished third. They also captured the Five Nations Women’s Grand Slam in 2002 under her leadership.

A member of the France women’s coaching set-up since 2009, Amiel assumed the role of head coach in 2014 and in her only year in charge led France to the Six Nations Grand Slam and a third-place finish on home soil at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014.