Philippe Sella

Philippe Sella

Sella in 2007
Date of birth	(1962-02-14) 14 February 1962
Place of birth	Tonneins, France
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	84 kg (13 st 3 lb)
Occupation(s)	Physical Education teacher, then marketing businessman
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1982–1995 Agen () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1996–1998 Saracens 14 (10) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1982–1995 France 111 (128)

Philippe Sella (born 14 February 1962, in Tonneins) is a French former rugby union player. He started as a rugby league junior in his home town before switching to rugby union. As a former French rugby union player, he held the record for most international appearances until beaten by Jason Leonard. He became a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1999, and the IRB Hall of Fame in 2008.

Sella joined Saracens in 1996 from French side Agen. He and Australian Michael Lynagh were the catalysts for Saracens as they made the transition into the professional era, and Sella's presence helped other players make up their minds about joining the up-and-coming club.

He made a then world record 111 appearances (or caps) for France, and is one of only five players to have scored a try in every game during a Five Nations season.

Sella was the linchpin in the midfield where he operated alongside stalwart Steve Ravenscroft. His experience, pace and vision helped Saracens to become a potent force in 1998 and his appetite for defence was amazing.

He scored the opening try in the Tetley's Bitter Cup final in the same year, a trademark Sella finish. He showed pace, power and vision to run, swivel and crash over the line with his try then signalling the way for the floodgates to open.

He retired from rugby union later that year at the age of 36 and returned to France with his family.

External links

• Majendie, Matt (2 December 2002). "Taking the bull by the horns". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
• "Philippe Sella – Simply the best". nobok.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
• "Player Profile: Philippe Sella". zurichchampionship.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
• "Philippe Sella". rugbyhalloffame.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
• "Total Rugby TV: Show 86". irb.com. 20 November 2006. Archived from the original on 25 January 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
• Philippe Sella at the World Rugby Hall of Fame