Raymond Gruppi

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Raymond Gruppi (born 30 October 1937 in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France) is a former French rugby league player and coach. He played mainly as a centre or a winger and spent most of his club career with Villeneuve-sur-Lot, with a two-year spell at Battaillon de Joinville (1957–1959).

Club career
Gruppi helped Villeneuve-sur-Lot reach the French Championship final in 1965 and the Lord Derby Cup final in 1966.

International career
He played for France from 1959 to 1971, earning 16 caps and scoring 9 tries (27 points). In 1960 he also played for the Rest of the World (6 caps, 2 tries). Gruppi participated in the Rugby League World Cups in 1960 and 1970.

Coaching career
After retiring as a player, he coached Villeneuve-sur-Lot from 1978 to 1982, winning the Lord Derby Cup in 1979 and the French Championship in 1980. He later coached the France national team, debuting with a 24–16 win over Great Britain on 17 March 1985.

Personal life
He is the brother of Jacques Gruppi and Pierre Gruppi. His sons Enzo and Thibaut Gruppi play for Villeneuve XIII. Outside rugby, he worked as a seedsman and also as a horse trainer.

World Cups
Gruppi was selected for France for both the 1960 and 1970 Rugby League World Cups.