Jean-Pierre Rives is one of French rugby's all-time greats, winning 59 caps for his country and 34 as captain.
Jean-Pierre Rives is one of French rugby's all-time greats, winning 59 caps for his country and 34 as captain.
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The flanker was renowned for his fearlessness in the heat of battle, often emerging from rucks with blood stains on his jersey, face and blond hair -- for which he earned the nickname "Casque d'Or" ("Golden Helmet".)
The flanker was renowned for his fearlessness in the heat of battle, often emerging from rucks with blood stains on his jersey, face and blond hair -- for which he earned the nickname "Casque d'Or" ("Golden Helmet".)
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Rives led France to two Five Nations grand slams in 1977 and 1981, and narrowly missed out on winning a third in 1984. He was also captain for France's first ever victory against the All Blacks in New Zealand in 1979.
Rives led France to two Five Nations grand slams in 1977 and 1981, and narrowly missed out on winning a third in 1984. He was also captain for France's first ever victory against the All Blacks in New Zealand in 1979.
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On the field, Rives was always at the heart of the action and never far from the ball.
On the field, Rives was always at the heart of the action and never far from the ball.
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As a young boy, he had ambitions to play in the center, but ultimately found his calling in the back row. While best-remembered for his feats in a French shirt, Rives also played for club sides Toulouse and Racing Club de France -- now Racing 92.
As a young boy, he had ambitions to play in the center, but ultimately found his calling in the back row. While best-remembered for his feats in a French shirt, Rives also played for club sides Toulouse and Racing Club de France -- now Racing 92.
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Since retiring, Rives has devoted his life to sculpture and painting, earning great acclaim for the former in particular. The strength he displayed on the rugby field has helped him weld and bend large steel beams into abstract forms.
Since retiring, Rives has devoted his life to sculpture and painting, earning great acclaim for the former in particular. The strength he displayed on the rugby field has helped him weld and bend large steel beams into abstract forms.
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One of Rives' creations is displayed outside the Stade de France, the home of French rugby, in Paris.
One of Rives' creations is displayed outside the Stade de France, the home of French rugby, in Paris.
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He is also behind the design of the Garibaldi trophy, presented to the winner of the Six Nations clash between France and Italy each year.
He is also behind the design of the Garibaldi trophy, presented to the winner of the Six Nations clash between France and Italy each year.
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Rust, says Rives, is an important part of his work. "It's alive, it's changing, just like us," he says. "We change, times change, it's very symbolic."
Rust, says Rives, is an important part of his work. "It's alive, it's changing, just like us," he says. "We change, times change, it's very symbolic."
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Rives has still been an active presence in rugby circles since his retirement. He was invited to stay with the French side during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and is pictured here with his son Jasper (L) before the 2007 World Cup final in Paris.
Rives has still been an active presence in rugby circles since his retirement. He was invited to stay with the French side during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and is pictured here with his son Jasper (L) before the 2007 World Cup final in Paris.
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Rives poses with former French coach Philippe Saint-Andre, scrum half Morgan Parra and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski during the presentation of the French jersey ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
Rives poses with former French coach Philippe Saint-Andre, scrum half Morgan Parra and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski during the presentation of the French jersey ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
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