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Paris - Racing 92's Laurent Labit will join France's coaching set-up earlier than expected to prepare for this year's Rugby World Cup, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Tuesday.
Originally set to join the national side as backs coach after the end of the tournament in November, Labit, 51, replaces skills boss Philippe Doussy who heads in the opposite direction to the Parisian club.
"After the departure of Philippe Doussy who accepted an offer from Racing 92, I asked him (Labit) to become a member of the coaching staff," head coach Jacques Brunel said in a statement.
"I will work on the attack with Fabien Galthie, and with backs alongside Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who remains as backs coach," Labit added.
The 2016 Top 14 winner will succeed Elissalde once the competition finishes and Galthie will take over from 65-year-old Brunel.
Labit starts his role on July 1 after the end of the domestic French season with Racing hosting La Rochelle in a Top 14 play-off on Friday.
Les Bleus have been drawn with England, Argentina, the United States and Tonga in a tough-looking Pool C at the World Cup.
Laurent Travers, who has coached with Labit since 2005, will remain at Racing 92 and the current forwards boss has been promoted to the position of director of rugby.
