Tributes have been paid to “immense” former France rugby union international Christophe Dominici, who has died aged 48.
Dominici was best known for helping France knock New Zealand out of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
A witness saw him climb the roof of a disused building at Saint-Cloud park, near Paris, on Tuesday before falling, officials say.
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the cause of his death.
“So much sadness. Christophe Dominici was an immense player, an artist. His sudden death is a shock,” said sports minister Roxana Maracineanu.
Dominici played 67 times for his country and won the French championship five times with Stade Français before retiring in 2008. In recent years he had worked as a pundit for French radio and TV.
His 1999 World Cup semi-final performance spurred France to a sensational comeback, as he darted down the left of the pitch and seized the ball ahead of two New Zealand defenders to score a try. The All Blacks were leading the game at the time and had the brilliant Jonah Lomu in their line-up.
Known as Domi, he was 1.72m (5ft 6in) tall and earned a reputation for weaving runs that could change the course of a match. He played in four Six Nations-winning teams, including two Grand Slams.
His death has stunned the world of rugby. France’s rugby federation said the national sport was “in mourning after the tragic death of our wing Christophe Dominici”.
it added: “We’re particularly thinking of his family and loved ones.”
A similar message came from the other big rugby union nations. The Welsh Rugby Union said: “Adieu, Christophe Dominici… what a player.”
