Players from the French national rugby team will perform a choreographed dance routine at the opening ceremony of the Top 14 final on June 27th. The initiative aims to challenge perceptions of rugby as a solely physical and brutal sport, highlighting its underlying finesse and strategy. As part of the preparation, the rugby players met with professional dancers at the Palais Garnier opera house. They listened to and learned from the dancers, gaining insight into the artistry and technique required for their performances. This collaboration seeks to demonstrate the surprising parallels between the athleticism of rugby and the discipline of dance. Organizers hope the performance will showcase a different side of the rugby world, emphasizing skill and subtlety alongside strength and power. The event represents an unusual cultural exchange between two distinct athletic disciplines.