Imanol Harinordoquy

Imanol Harinordoquy (born 20 February 1980 in Bayonne) is a French rugby union player who typically plays as a number 8 for France internationally and Biarritz at club level. Before signing with Biarritz for the 2004-05 season, he played club rugby at Pau. Despite his relative youth, he is generally regarded as one of the top number eights in international rugby union today.

Related Topics:
20 February - 1980 - Bayonne - French - Rugby union - Number 8 - France - Biarritz - 2004 - 05 - Pau

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The 1.92 m (6'3½") Basque made his international debut just before his 22nd birthday in the 2002 Six Nations against Wales, and helped France win the Grand Slam that year. He has been a fixture in the French side ever since, helping them to a second Six Nations Grand Slam in 2004.

Related Topics:
Basque - 2002 - Six Nations - Wales - Grand Slam - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harinordoquy entered the 2005 Six Nations with 30 caps for France. However, he missed the competition's first fixture against Scotland due to a separated shoulder suffered in his last game for Biarritz before the Six Nations, and had difficulty regaining his form immediately after the injury; he was dropped from the squad by the end of the 2005 tournament.

Related Topics:
2005 Six Nations - Scotland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harinordoquy grew up in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Basque: Donibane Garazi). He grew up playing many sports, among them pelota, swimming, football and judo, only concentrating on rugby after a knee injury at age 14 limited his football development. He advanced quickly in rugby union, representing France at under-19 and under-21 levels. He was also brought up in the family's cattle-trading business; when it came time for him to choose between the business and rugby, he opted to only sign a one-year contract with Pau. He continues to sign one-year rugby deals.

Related Topics:
St-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Basque - Pelota - Swimming - Football - Judo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He is also notorious for his comments about the English national team before a key 2003 Six Nations encounter: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/11/1068329561920.html?oneclick=true

Related Topics:
English national team - 2003

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:As far as the English are concerned, I have decided to adopt the same attitude as them: I despise them as much as they despise everybody else. And as long as we beat England, I wouldn't mind if we lost every other game in the Six Nations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

England went on to win that match and the Grand Slam.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~