RUGBYU-WC-2023-FRANCE-PHOTOESSAY

Supporters stand behind the barriers during the French Federale 1 rugby union match betwen Saint-Sulpice-sur-Leze and Valence d'Agen, at the Gaston-Sauret stadium in Saint-Sulpice-sur-Leze, southwestern France, on May 21, 2023. The USSS club created in 1912 by a teatcher is well known in the area to gather players from all ages, including a rugby school since 1975. It is one of the smallest clubs competing in the Federale 1 Division. Ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France, Agence France-Presse asked 20 aspiring photographers from each country qualified for the competition to show one aspect of the rugby union culture in their homeland, with the help of Canon cameras who are sponsoring the tournament. From Namibia to Fiji via Georgia and Scotland this photo essay gives us a glimpse of the core values of rugby on five continents. (Photo by Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP) (Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS/AFP via Getty Images)