René Fontès

René Fontès (11 June 1941 – 17 March 2019) was a French rugby union executive and politician.

Born in Saint-Martin-de-Crau, Bouches-du-Rhône, Fontès joined the tyre manufacturer Michelin in 1964 as an electrical engineer.

He spent a total of 40 years at Michelin, and, from 1986, was director of the company's European operation before leaving in 2004.

[4] During his time as president, Clermont were victorious in their 2006–07 European Challenge Cup campaign, and also won their first domestic league title in 2009–10.

Fontès left his role at Clermont in June 2013, and was subsequently replaced by Éric de Cromières.