Claude Teisseire

Claude Teisseire (14 March 1931 – 16 July 2025), nicknamed The Rat, was a French professional rugby league footballer who represented France at the 1954 Rugby League World Cup. Although he could not take part in the 1951 tour of Australia and New Zealand due to a knee injury, he took part in the 1955 tour which concluded with two wins in three test matches. He played as halfback and centre. At club level, he played for AS Carcassonne and Lézignan. For many years, he formed a formidable centre combination with Gilbert Benausse. Later, he became a rugby union coach and referee.

Claude Teisseire

Teisseire in 1953
Personal information
Born	(1931-03-14)14 March 1931 Carcassonne, France
Died	16 July 2025(2025-07-16) (aged 94)
Playing information
Position	Halfback, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1949–58 AS Carcassonne 1959–62 Lézignan Total 0 0 0 0 0 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1952–62 France 17 2 0 0 6
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% Limoux AS Carcassonne Total 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Career

Teisseire, while playing for Carcassonne, was called up for the first edition of the Rugby League World Cup in 1954, which was played in France. He took part in three matches of the tournament, including the final against Great Britain on 13 November 1954 at Parc des Princes in Paris in front of 30,368 spectators, won by Great Britain.

During his sports career, several rugby union clubs tried to sign him, such as Castres, Narbonne or Mazamet, but unsuccessfully, because Tesseire always preferred playing for rugby league clubs.

After his player career, he became coach and international referee, he notably refereed a match between Great Britain and Australia in Perpignan during the 1972 Rugby League World Cup.

In 2003, Teisseire was inducted into the Medal of Youth and Sports by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Jean-François Lamour.

Death

Teisseire died on 16 July 2025, aged 94.^[2][3]