Rouen rugby player Jordan Michallet has suddenly died at the age of 29, the French Pro D2 club has confirmed.
French fly-half Michallet was previously an age-grade star who featured for the likes of Grenoble, Strasbourg and Bourgoin.
“The Rouen Normandie Rugby family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear Jordan Michallet," the club confirmed in a statement.
“This awful news plunges the whole club into immense pain.
“The management and the whole club are joining forces with his family in this terrible ordeal.”
Michallet was a major force in Rouen's rise to the D2 from France's lower divisions, and the club will play tribute to the player at their next match against Carcasonne on Friday.
Coach Sylvain Begon, who worked with Michallet during his time at Grenoble, reacted to the news: “It’s awful. Terrible!
"My first thoughts are with his family, his club, and all his old buddies. It’s a real shock. He was a determined boy who was easy to train.
"He was asking himself the right questions."
The French Rugby Federation also paid its respects to the player and posted a picture of Michalet via Instagram.
"The rugby family is bereaved today after the death of @rouen_normandie_rugby player Jordan Michallet," the caption read.
"Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Michallet's death was a particular shock after the playmaker had just signed a new three-year contract extension to remain at the Stade Jean-Mermoz.
It was after Michallet's first season with Rouen that the club gained promotion to the Pro D2 for the first time in their history, having won the Federale 1 title in 2019.
The player had a brief taste of first-tier rugby when he joined Top 14 outfit Grenoble in 2013, though he made only 17 appearances for the club (13 starts) before leaving two years later.
Rouen only just evaded relegation at the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign, and the club is currently sat just one place outside the drop zone.
