Philippe Sella

Philippe Sella is a now retired former rugby union footballer, with a fine record from his playing days. He played 111 international matches for France over the course of his long career, making him the most capped international player ever. His playing days lasted a full 13 years and saw him mesmerise and destroy defences all over the world on a regular basis. It was in 1982 that he made his debut against Romania, and he soon became a world class centre, who was described by an ex-coach of the French national team as someone who has “the strength of a bull but the touch of a piano player.”
With great pace, quick feet and the ability to change direction in an instant, Sella’s impact was always felt on the pitch and off it. He was a great player to watch, tough competition for opponents and enjoyed some great partnerships during his career, with the likes of Denis Charvet, Marc Andrieu, Franck Mesnel, and Thierry Lacroix. In his long career, Sella won no fewer than six Five Nations titles and also played in three World Cup tournaments, though never managed to end up a champion. Domestically he played most for Agen and helped them to win the national championship in 1982 and 1988. He then played for Saracens between 1996 and 1998 before finally retiring after their great win in 1998’s Tetley’s Bitter Cup. After leaving the game he has become a regular face on French TV channel Canal+ where he offers great insight and punditry.