The 44-year-old received unflattering feedback online having ditched his typical suit, instead wearing jeans and a hoodie in a series of images showing him hard at work on international calls. Many remarked that Macron had sought to mirror the look of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Macron spoke to the Ukrainian leader on Thursday (March 17), before a one-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the following day where he reportedly expressed his extreme concern over the situation in Mariupol as Russia’s offensive continues.

The French President is also in the final month of his re-election campaign, where he favoured to clinch a second term in office.

Macron was able take time out of his intensive schedule yesterday to celebrate his nation’s sporting success, with France crowned Six Nations winners last night after a 25-13 win over England at the Stade de France.

"After 12 years of waiting, our Blues achieve the Grand Slam feat against England," Macron tweeted. "A new page of rugby is being written tonight.

"Congratulations to the whole team! See you in 2023… in France!"

Macron’s comment probably reflects the feelings of many French rugby fans, who probably cannot wait for their home Rugby World Cup to come around next year.

Their first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010, coupled with an impressive victory over New Zealand in the autumn, adds to the impression the tournament could be coming at the right time for the host nation.

The trend is certainly good for France, who were named hosts of the Rugby World Cup at the end of 2017 after the World Rugby Council opted in favour of their bid, against the recommendation at the time to name South Africa as hosts.

France finished fourth in the Six Nations in the subsequent two editions, with two second places building up to their Grand Slam success this year.

The success will undoubtedly lead to the question of whether France can reproduce their level of performance next September and end their wait for a maiden Rugby World Cup title, having finished as the runners-up on three previous occasions.

The question must be a dream one for organisers to pose as they ramp up preparations over the next 18 months, particularly with the tournament beginning with a mouth-watering opening match against three-time champions New Zealand.

France and New Zealand, respectively second and third in the world rankings, will expect to advance from Pool A of the tournament regardless of the outcome in their head-to-head meeting. The nations will be joined by Italy, Uruguay and an African qualifier.

Another potential storyline heading into the tournament could be what progress is made by Italy, with the nation having snapped their seven-year losing run in the Six Nations yesterday.

The Italian team had appeared on course for a 37th consecutive defeat when trailing 21-15 after a gallant effort against an under-par Wales in Cardiff yesterday.

Ange Capuozzo, making his first Six Nations start, arguably delivered the moment of the weekend when the full-back burst through the Welsh defence before passing to Edoardo Padovani to score a last-gasp try. The subsequent conversion from Paolo Garbisi gave Italy a 22-21 victory, sparking joyous scenes.

Welsh winger Josh Adams, whose try had appeared to have given Wales victory, offered Capuozzo his man of the match medal during Italian celebrations.

"People can't say we've lost 36 in a row," Italy’s head coach Kieran Crowley told the BBC after the victory. 

"Marius Goosen our defence coach has been there six years and won his first Six Nations game, you'd think we'd won the World Cup.

"They’ve got to enjoy this because they’re a young crew and they’ve got to learn how to win and they’ve done that today.

"We had some measures to measure ourselves by, not the results, and this gives us a base going forward now."

The victory came against a backdrop of continued discussion over Italy’s place in the Six Nations, with the near annual debate over whether the team warrants guaranteed inclusion as a consequence of their losing run.

The result against Wales is unlikely to end the debate, with continued improvement required before the debate is silenced. Some have pointed to the relative youth of the current team and the promising results of their next generation, after a third-place finish was secured today in the Under-20 Six Nations Championship.

It is worth noting that Crowley was not opposed to the idea of a promotion and relegation system from the Six Nations when asked earlier this year.

The New Zealander acknowledged it was unlikely any of the participating unions would vote in favour of such a plan, which would potentially see the top ranked team in the Rugby Europe Championship be promoted.

Georgia would be the likely beneficiaries of such an idea, having won the last five editions of the event.

Six Nations bosses have insisted that promotion and relegation is not a topic on the agenda. They have instead pointed to discussions led by World Rugby over a new global calendar as to how emerging nations could have an improved pathway to continue their development.

Some pundits have suggested a playoff match could be arranged between the Six Nations wooden spoon and the Rugby Europe Championship winners, as a potential middle ground. 

Sir Clive Woodward, who coached England to the 2003 Rugby World Cup title, suggested last month that a playoff could provide a jolt nations require to improve should one of the Six Nations participants lose such a contest.

Sir Clive wrote in the Daily Mail that opening up the pathway could lead to a thriving Six Nations and a vibrant second tier.

As it stands, second tier nations Georgia and Spain will attempt to highlight their growth at the Rugby World Cup next year in France having qualified through the Rugby Europe Championship.

After clashing with the current titans of the sport, the nations look set to return to butting heads with the current ceiling at European level.