Philippe Sella

Philippe Sella (known as Incomparable the ), born the February 14th 1962 with Tonneins, is a former player French of Rugby to XV, evolving/moving at the station of center three-quarter (more rarely with the wing (1st tournament), or back), measuring 1m81 for 84kg.

Biography

It enters Rugby by the Rugby to XIII until of junior.

Old center of the Team of France of Rugby to XV, it adds up 111 selections under the French shirt, 2nd player more wrapped history of the French Rugby (including 4 capitanats) after Fabien Pelous (series in progress). It is only preceded with the international level by the English Jason Leonard (114) and since 2005 by Australian the George Gregan (139, the 10/6/2007).

It begins its international career against the Romania the October 31st 1982. During its international long career, it will have on the occasion to play in center in company of Thierry Lacroix (24 matches), Franck Mesnel (21), Denis Charvet (17) and Didier Codorniou and Marc Andrieu (16).

At the same time fast, physical and technical, highly skilled plater, considered as the best center three-quarter of the world during almost a decade.

In 1983, it gains the Mediterranean Jeux.

At the time of the Five Nations tournament 1986, it carries out a Large personal Slam, that of the tests, which was carried out only by very few players.

In 1987, it carries out the Grand Slam at the time of the Five Nations tournament. He will be the best marker of the editions 1984 (with Jerome Gallion) and 1986. He was in addition selected in the tournament without stopping of 1983 to 1995 (that is to say a total of 13 participations, absolute French record), gaining it in 1983 (with the Ireland), 1986 (with the Scotland), 1987,1988 (with the Wales), 1989 and 1993!

He is the French player having played the most matches in the tournament with 50 matches. Only the Irishman Mike Gibson precedes it with 56 matches.

He took part in the rounds in New Zealand into 1984,1986,1989 and 1994 (during which he becomes the first player of the history of world Rugby to add up hundred international selections), in Argentine in 1985,1986 and 1988, in Australia in 1986 and 1990, with the the United States in 1991, South Africa in 1993, and with the Canada in 1994. During the rounds 1986 and 1987, it succeeds in the exploit to mark 8 tests… in 8 consecutive test matches, that is to say one by test (French record)!

Then, it takes part in the World cup of Rugby 1987 which is held jointly in New Zealand and in Australia. After a semi-final gained against the Wallabies thanks to one of the most beautiful tests of the History of the Rugby marked by Serge Blanco, the XV of France fails finally against the Blacks.

From 1982 to 1987, it disputed 45 matches consecutive with the team of France, only exceeded in that by Roland Bertranne (with 46).

In 1994, at the time of a test match against the Canada, he saw himself expelled of the ground whereas he plays his 99e match under the blue shirt. The referee having it surprised to fight against an unfavourable player. France loses match 16-18 but after video viewing, fact up to now single in rugbystic annals, this task will be unobtrusive of its exemplary career and of the excuses will be even presented to him because it was proven that the referee of key had confused Philippe Sella who tried to separate two belligerents.

After the World cup of Rugby 1995, it takes its international retreat. A long time faithful to the club of its beginnings, the KNOWN Agen, it finishes nevertheless its career in the English club of the Saracens of London, where it gains the cut of England in 1998.

It obtains the Oscar of the Olympic South (better French player of the championship) in 1986 and 1987 (finishing second in 1994), and moreover was indicated once Meilleur European player ( Pat Marshall Award ) by the specialized British press (within the Rugby Union Writers Club , club created in 1961).

From 2001 to 2003, it gave its name to a Trophy of summer on invitation of clubs, organized by KNOWN Agen.

From now on, he comments on the matches Rugby on Canal+. He directs, also a communications company Sella Communication specialized in the event-driven related one to the world of the sport.

He in addition launched his line of clothing top-of-the-range Rugby, the mark 111, represented in the shape of an oval balloon, the 111 as laces.

Richard Escot wrote about it the book Sella: the gold of Rugby , ED. Solar, 1995.

Clubs

Prize list

In club

  • Champion of France of Rugby in 1982 and 1988
  • Yves Challenge of the Manor in 1983 and 1992
  • Finalist of the championship of France in 1984,1986 and 1990
  • Semi-finalist of the championship of France in 1983,1987,1989 and 1993
  • Semi-finalist of the challenge of the Manor in 1984 and 1990
  • Cut of England in 1998

In national team

  • Finalist of the World cup of Rugby 1987
  • Participation in the world cups 1987, 1991 and 1995
  • Large Slam in 1987 Victorious
  • of the tournament in 1983 (ex æquo with Ireland), 1986 (ex æquo with Scotland), 1987 (Large Slam), 1988 (ex æquo with Wales), 1989 and 1993
  • 111 selections in team of France between 1982 and 1995, including 3 times as captain
  • 104 selections like center three-quarter of 1982 to 1995: he is thus the player more wrapped at this station on a world level
  • 30 tests in team of France, which places it third, behind Serge Blanco (38), and Philippe Saint-Andrew (33)
  • 50 participations in a match of the tournament (2°)

External bonds

  • Photo Philippe Sella 1982-83
  • Sella Communication

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