Why does France rugby coach Fabien Galthie wear thick-rimmed glasses?

FABIEN GALTHIE and France are back in action in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final tonight against South Africa.

They’ll be looking to reach the semis where they will play England next week.

Reuters
Fabien Galthie in his trademark glasses[/caption]
Getty
Galthie’s France are the defending champions[/caption]

Ireland finished as runners-up – their sole defeat coming to champions France.

England won just two games – against Italy and Wales – and ended up finishing third in the table.

This year, France will be up against Italy in Rome to kick off their defence.

And you may notice France coach Galthie sporting his trademark thick-rimmed glasses on the touchline.

Why does Fabien Galthie wear thick-rimmed glasses?

Fabien Galthie is always seen wearing his thick-rimmed glasses.

And the coach – who also captained France as a player – has explained why.

Galthie, 53, only started wearing glasses in his mid-forties and says that the thick-rimmed ones he wears now are unbreakable.

He said: “These are plastic sports glasses that allow you to run, to fall, because I broke all my glasses before.

“My eyesight deteriorated around 46-47 years old. I had to put on stronger glasses, but above all I had to stop breaking them.”

AFP
Galthie, playing here in 1999, says his eyesight deteriorated when he reached his mid-40s[/caption]