World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Inside-centre
1. 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, "He would find every weak spot in your body when he tackled you. It was like being hit by a telephone box full of concrete, swinging from the jib of a crane on a 50-foot wire. If you can imagine what that feels like, that was what it was like being hit by Sella."
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His debut for France came as a winger against Romania in 1982, but, possessing all of the attributes to become a world-class centre, it was his switch inside that would open up his talents for the world to see. Possessing an incisive turn of pace, a sublime set of handling skills and a gift for choosing the most devastating running lines, Sella was a beautiful player to watch. He was also one of the fiercest defenders in the world game, a trait seen in his devastating hit on anyone in his way,
During the 1986 Five Nations, Sella became only the fourth man to score a try in all four Tests. Only Scotland's Gregor Townsend has repeated the feat since.
The complete player, he commanded a universal reverence from his peers and became one of France's favourite sons.
When Philippe Sella retired from international rugby in 1995, his 111 appearances made him the world's most capped player. During a career that spanned 13 years, Sella had mesmerised and destroyed defences the world over.