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.
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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 June 28, the 2025 TOP 14 Final showcased a magnificent game between Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux Bègles, which extended beyond the usual 80 minutes. It indeed took extra time, a first in the Final since 2005, for Toulouse to emerge victorious with a score of 39 – 33. As part of its partnership with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, 103 Société Générale employees had the opportunity to perform the Marseillaise on the pitch at Stade de France, joined in chorus by the 80,000 supporters present.
The Societe Generale Choir at the TOP 14 Final
Video available in French only
: For the TOP 14 Final, over 100 employees from the Société Générale Group performed Ravel's Boléro and the Marseillaise during the pre-match. Discover their rehearsals and feelings throughout this project that led them to Stade de France.
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 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”
“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 to discover what drives them. In the 2024-2025 season, five dates have been organized around key themes that Société Générale shares with rugby: education, diversity, and inclusion.
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 – In Vichy, with Julien Bonnaire, Édouard Suchet, and Adrien Chalmin.
Three figures of rugby, a meeting well beyond the field. In Vichy, Julien Bonnaire, Édouard Suchet, and Adrien Chalmin passionately discuss resilience, commitment... and passion. Perspectives on the game, the ups and downs... and everything that unites rugby
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 have marked the history of rugby and who embody the values of courage, solidarity and excellence.
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
