The 39-year-old, head of PRO D2 club FC Grenoble for the past two seasons, succeeds Xavier Garbajosa at the TOP 14 side, who have been drawn in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup alongside Saracens, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Vodacom Bulls, Bristol Bears and Connacht Rugby,

The former full-back will be assisted by a coaching staff of Julien Puricelli (lineout), Coenie Basson (defence) and Didier Bès (scrum), as well as South African Alan Basson Zondagh, who will be in charge of the backs.

“I am obviously delighted and very honored to join LOU Rugby, and to commit myself to fulfilling the mission entrusted to me,” Gengenbacher said.

“I know I'm going to have to adapt quickly, make a fairly quick diagnosis too, put changes in place and work on continuity. I want to ensure that LOU win matches.”

Lyon have announced the appointment of Fabien Gengenbacher as their new director of rugby for the forthcoming Champions Cup campaign.