Rugby sponsorship: Societe Generale’s commitment
A longstanding partner of rugby
Societe Generale and rugby: a long history of friendship, sport and solidarity. The Bank first became involved in rugby and its team spirit in 1924. In 1987, its partnership with the French Rugby Federation (Fédération Française de Rugby – FFR) enabled it to deploy its colours on pitches everywhere and associate its values with those dear to this sport. Ever since, this partnership has gone from strength to strength in France and went up another notch in September 2024 when the Group became Premium Partner, thus enabling it to have its name on all the French teams’ shirts for the first time in its history.
The Bank has been supporting the surge in popularity of this sport with which it shares the values of team spirit, commitment and respect. It encourages the development of all forms of rugby union (rugby sevens, wheelchair rugby, women’s rugby, etc.) from amateur rugby to elite professional level. It also strives to promote this sport among new populations.
Key figures
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1987
Societe Generale group became sponsor of the French Rugby Federation
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7 times
Partner of the Rugby World Cup
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+ 200
amateur clubs supported in France
Robust support for professional rugby
Partner of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) since its creation in 1998, Societe Generale reaffirmed its support for professional rugby at the end of November 2023 by announcing that it was extending this commitment to the LNR for another four seasons.
The LNR notably organises France’s two professional rugby championships, the TOP 14 and the PRO D2. By associating itself with these championships of excellence, Societe Generale is concretising its commitment on all rugby pitches and is again asserting the values of team spirit and commitment it shares with this sport.
On 28 June, the final of the 2024 TOP 14 delivered a memorable match between Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux-Bègles. Toulouse won in style, an unforgettable moment for all rugby enthusiasts. As part of its partnership with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), Societe Generale enabled ten fans to enjoy a unique experience by going to the stadium and being on the pitch to form a guard of honour for the players after the match and for the handing over of the Bouclier de Brennus trophy.
Immerse yourself in the TOP 14 guard of honour!
Video available in French only
14 season ticket holders, supporters of the fourteen TOP 14 rugby clubs, gathered for a unique experience on the evening of the 2022 final.
Immerse yourself in this #HaiedHonneurSG
Ouvrons la voix: an all-female cast providing live commentary of a French international rugby match
Societe Generale’s "Ouvrons la Voix" initiative celebrates diversity and excellence in rugby.
An international rugby match commentated only by women; that’s the principle of the “Ouvrons la Voix” (Giving women a voice) operation. By highlighting female talent off the pitch, this initiative – the first of its kind in France – offers a fresh perspective for spectators and for the sport itself.
On 16 March 2024, live on the French Rugby Federation’s Twitch channel, journalists Isabelle Ithurburu and Marie-Louise Preira, influencer Yume, former French internationals Yanna Rivoalen and Jessy Tremoulière and our ambassador and current French international Gaëlle Hermet joined forces to commentate on and analyse the big Six Nations decider between France and England.
Together, they transmitted their passion for rugby and demonstrated with enthusiasm, conviction and professionalism that women are just as capable of sharing their love of this sport as men.
“Ouvrons la Voix” (“Giving Women a Voice”)
“Ouvrons la Voix” (“Giving Women a Voice”) is the first women’s rugby match commentated only by women in France. For this French first, it was the 6 Nations decider between France and England that was chosen to be scrutinised by our female commentators.
In the “Ouvrons la Voix” studio, Societe Generale Rugby brought together six sports and media professionals to provide live commentary.
On the French Rugby Federation’s Twitch channel, journalists Isabelle Ithurburu and Marie-Louise Preira, SG ambassador and current French international Gaëlle Hermet, former French internationals Jessy Trémoulière and Yanna Rivoalen and video streamer Yume helped us live this emotion-filled match from behind their microphones.
This initiative aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the world of sport. Already compelling on rugby pitches and increasingly numerous in the stands, women’s rugby deserved a new voice: the media.
Video available in French only
“Home Field Advantage”, where all forms of rugby union come together
In 2017, Societe Generale created the “Home Field Advantage” web series. We accompanied small amateur clubs for several months, enabling them to benefit from coaching by former international rugby players who are partners of the Group, and thus show the human experiences and shared moments enjoyed by these local “rugby communities”.
In 2023, a Rugby World Cup year, season 4 of the web series took us down to the Basque Country for a wonderful coming together of different levels of rugby. In this season, Societe Generale ambassador Jonny Wilkinson called on legendary rugby players such as Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Siya Kolisy, Thierry Dusautoir, Christian Califano and Matt Giteau to coach two of the region’s clubs.
Home Field Advantage in the heart of French regions
During these Home Field Advantage encounters, TOP 14 and PRO D2 professional rugby ambassadors go to meet rugby enthusiasts all around France (Annecy, Rennes, Rodez, etc.) to discover what drives them.
The encounters organised with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby illustrate our belief that rugby is a great place to develop coexistence by fostering diversity of talent and inclusion through collective strength.
Home Field Advantage encounters: Rodez Rugby
In this video, Christian Califano visits Rodez Rugby during a decisive week in its season. Discover how this club is developing and experience the atmosphere of the final phases in Rodez!
Video available in French only.
Societe Generale Sevens, putting Rugby Sevens in the spotlight
Since 2014, Societe Generale has organised the final of the French university rugby sevens championships, called the Societe Generale Sevens, in collaboration with the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the French University Sport Federation (FFSU).
This event brings together the 40 best French university rugby sevens teams, selected following various regional qualification phases. Over two days, almost 500 male and female players who are students play a total of 110 matches to attempt to win one of the four French Champions titles in the Elite Men, Elite Women, University Men and University Women categories.
The Societe Generale Sevens event aims to put rugby sevens and university sport in the spotlight via a unique experience that celebrates sport’s values.
At the heart of rugby competitions, the Societe Generale village offers numerous activities: an initiation to wheelchair rugby by a partner local club, an accuracy wall, an initiation to gaming headed by our partner Team GO and a photo booth.
Our Ambassadors
Societe Generale supports an exceptional group of ambassadors, genuine rugby icons who embody the values of courage, solidarity and excellence. We work with true legends who have marked the history of rugby, but also with male and female players who are still playing and are continuing to make this sport shine day after day on the international stage.
Thierry Dusautoir is an emblematic figure of French rugby whose career is peppered with numerous successes: 56 times captain of the French national side, Six Nations Grand Slam winner in 2010, European champion, world cup finalist, 5 times French champion and the world’s best player in 2011.
His presence on the pitch marked the history of rugby by combining leadership, strength and charisma. A star of the Home Field Advantage series, Thierry Dusautoir has had an exceptional career, leaving a decisive legacy in French and international rugby.
Photo credit : Pressesports
Jonny Wilkinson is a global rugby legend known for his accuracy, mental strength and ability to lead his team to victory. He has marked the history of this sport with an impressive track record: world champion, quadruple Six Nations winner, double European champion…
An icon of English and international rugby, he is a star of Societe Generale’s Home Field Advantage series in which he perfectly embodies rugby’s values.
Photo credit: Pressesports
Christian Califano, former French international, marked the history of rugby with an exceptional career: world cup finalist, winner of two Six Nations tournaments, European champion and six times French champion. His strength and charisma made him one of his generation’s most respected players and an emblematic icon who is still helping keep rugby in the spotlight. Also a star of the Home Field Advantage series, he plays an inspirational role for younger generations.
Photo credit: Pressesports
Stephen Parez Edo-Martin, French rugby sevens prop, is known for his speed and his exceptional vision of the game.
Winning the two major international titles in 2024, he is inspiring new generations of male and female rugby sevens players by being one of the top scorers in French history.
Photo credit: Inigo Brothers
A pivotal player of the French international team and a RC Toulon player, Charles Ollivon stands out through his strength and charisma on the pitch. The man they call “Capitaine Courage” is a true leader capable of swinging a match in his team’s favour through his commitment and determination that are so admired by rugby fans.
Photo credit: Inigo Brothers
Gaelle Hermet, a pivotal player for the French women’s team and winner of the 2018 Six Nations, is a decisive player whose commitment makes all the difference on the pitch. Captain of Stade Toulousain’s women’s team, her ability to lead and inspire her team is unparalleled.
Societe Generale is proud to be able to highlight her role in the development of women’s rugby as illustrated by her involvement in the “Ouvrons la voix” project.
Photo credit: Inigo Brothers
Discovered during the 2017 Societe Generale Sevens, Caroline Drouin is a pivotal player for French women’s rugby. She excels both with the French rugby sevens team and the French rugby union team with whom she won the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam.
Societe Generale has supported Caroline since the start of her international career and is proud to be supporting her progress on the French rugby stage.
Photo credit: Inigo Brothers