Laporte apologises to Dickinson

When France were on tour to New Zealand in June, Stuart Dickinson refereed their first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland and was the touch judge for the second Test in Wellington.

Bernard Laporte, the French coach, berated Dickinson in a hotel foyer before the second Test. Dickinson had actually asked for the meeting as he had heard that Laporte was upset and was willing to admit to errors and apologise for them.

Laporte had a laptop with him to show Dickinson perceived errors in the match which the All Blacks won 42-11.

But Laporte became emotional and said, apparently: "If you are appointed to any French games at the World Cup, the French team will not turn up." Amongst other things.

The spat was in public and much-publicised.

Now Laporte has written to Dickinson to apologise. Dickinson has said that he has had the letter partly translated and that Laporte has apologised. He accepts the apology.

The next time the two will meet will be at the World Cup for Dickinson has been appointed as the touch judge for the opening match of the 2007 RWC at Stade de France - France v Argentina on September 7.

Laporte - who will take over the post of French Sports Minister following the RWC - has coached France since after the 1999 World Cup.