12.  Inside Centre

Philippe Sella

 

Sella was the linchpin in the midfield where he operated supremely.  His experience, pace and vision helped France out of numerous tight situations and his appetite for defence was amazing.  Sella showed pace, power and vision to run, swivel and crash over the line time and time again.  He was the ideal inside- centre: he could create, intimidate and finish.  His pace, handling skills and intelligent running lines rendered Sella one of the most exciting players, not only of his generation, but of all-time. 

 

An attacker so stunning that few realised his defensive strength.  He was quick off the mark and able to accelerate from a standing, running or start position.  Delivering different types of passes that open up the gaps in the defensive line became second-nature to him.  He always was able sum up the situation and make the best decision possible in the right place at the right time.

 

His rugby philosophy ("it's all about running across the turf and passing a ball around with a few friends") was almost embarrassingly simple, but his execution of it often proved deadly.

 

Former French coach Jacques Fouroux described Sella as having, "the strength of a bull but the touch of a piano player", while England's Jeremy Guscott once described being tackled by Sella, "like being hit by a telephone box swinging on the end of a crane."

 

The complete player, he commanded a universal reverence from his peers and became one of France's favourite sons.