A British armed forces rugby player has been found dead in France, where the World Defence Rugby competition is being held.
Investigators believe the player may have died in an accidental fall in northern Brittany, a prosecutor said.
The local prosecutor, Fabrice Tremel, told AFP that the player’s body was discovered on a rocky stretch of coast in Dinard, a popular seaside resort, shortly after he was reported missing. Two team coaches confirmed the identity of the player and an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, Tremel said.
The player’s team is based in Dinard during the competition – also known as the World Military Rugby Championship – which brings together military teams from 12 allied nations.
The championship is being played in 26 Brittany venues until 10 September, and features 500 players and staff for 30 matches played in 26 Breton stadiums.
Founded in 2011 in Australia, the International Defence Rugby competition runs every four years. Japan’s self-defence forces hosted the last event in 2019.
