Yves Frantz Loys Marie Le Pelley du Manoir, known as Yves du Manoir, was a French international who won 8 caps in a tragically short career between 1925-27.

The son of the Viscount and Viscountess Le Pelley, Du Manoir was a multi-skilled sportsman who excelled at tennis, rowing, swimming, gymnastics and athletics as well as rugby.

A fly-half for Racing Club de France in Paris, he was described by one French writer as 'sturdy and fast, a strong tackler with great kicking talent, a skilled player with a remarkable positional sense that meant he could play every position in the backs.'

He won his first cap for France on January 1, 1925 at Stade Colombes against Ireland when he was just 20-years-old and went on to be named man of the match. He would go on to collect another seven caps including one as captain against Scotland on Janaury 22, 1927.

Manoir also graduated from the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique in 1925 and would go on to serve in the French air force.

He was selected to appear against Scotland on January 2, 1928 but had to decline the invitation due to a flying exam required as part of his attempts to qualify as a military pilot. The plan he was on would crash minutes after take-off.

Georges Gerald, the France vice-captain and close friend of Du Manoir's with whom he played for Racing as centre, reportedly broke down as he delivered the traditional post-match speech.

Racing Club de France renamed its stadium after him and it would play host to the majority of France's home internationals until 1973. A statue of Du Manoir was also erected at the stadium where Racing Metro 92 (formed by a merger of Racing Club de France and US Métro) still play today.

In 1932, Racing Club de France created a famous club competition named after him, the Challenge Yves du Manoir, that was contested between 1931 and 2003.

His name also adorns the stadium of Top 14 side Montpellier.

Scrum Staff January 2009