Olivier Merle (born 14 November 1965 in Chamalières, Puy-de-Dôme) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a lock. He was known by several nicknames, including "La Merluche" and "Le Massif Central". He was known for his violent play and after headbutting Ricky Evans the Welsh prop in Paris causing a ruck to collapse on him breaking his ankle, resulted in his being sued successfully in the courts for damages. This was the first case of its kind and BBC video evidence was used in court. After that he never played for France again.
A French championship Title private following a refereeing error with Grenoble 1993edit
He also would play for FC Grenoble and despite overpowering pack called the Mammoths of Grenoble[1] his club tilts on the score of 14-11.[2] A try of Olivier Brouzet is denied to Grenoble[3] and the decisive try by Gary Whetton was awarded by the referee, Daniel Salles, when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone. This error gave the title to Castres.[4] Salles admitted the error 13 years later.[5][6][7]Jacques Fouroux the coach of FC Grenoble in conflict with the Federation and who was already suspicious before the match of the referee[8] cry out conspiracy.[9]
He returns for ASM Clermont Auvergne at the season of 1995/96, where he would stay until 1999/2000. He then moved to RC Narbonne for two seasons, from 2000/01 to 2001/02. His final season was spent at Stade Aurillacois, in 2002/03.
The French lock had 45 caps for France, scoring 6 tries, 30 points in aggregate, from 1993 to 1997. He was selected for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, playing all the five matches. He played four times at the Five Nations, in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, winning it the last time, with a Grand Slam.
^"Pro D2. Auch. La chasse aux mammouths est ouverte". www.ladepeche.fr. October 18, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
^"Castres et " la magie du rugby "". www.republicain-lorrain.fr. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
^"Combien de fois Bayonne s'est imposé dans la capitale ?". www.rugbyrama.fr. Midi olympique. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
^"MICHEL RINGEVAL (PART 2): " AU BOUT D'UN QUART D'HEURE, J'AI COMPRIS QU'ON NE GAGNERAIT PAS"". lesportdauphinois.com. November 19, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
^"Gerry Thornley: Grenoble's Jackman fast becoming one of top Irish coaches". irishtimes. April 12, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
^"Daniel Salles à propos de Castres-Grenoble en 1993 : " Je me suis trompé "". sudouest. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
^"Parc des Princes, Paris, 5 Juin 1993". LNR. 28 December 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
^Salviac, Pierre (9 September 2015). Merci pour ces moments: 50 ans de grands reportages. ISBN9791093463247. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
^"Top 14: Toulon-Castres, souviens-toi, il y a vingt ans..." www.lepoint.fr. June 1, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
External linksedit
Olivier Merle International Statistics
This biographical article relating to French rugby union is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
olivier, merle, born, november, 1965, chamalières, dôme, former, french, rugby, union, player, played, lock, known, several, nicknames, including, merluche, massif, central, known, violent, play, after, headbutting, ricky, evans, welsh, prop, paris, causing, r. Olivier Merle born 14 November 1965 in Chamalieres Puy de Dome is a former French rugby union player He played as a lock He was known by several nicknames including La Merluche and Le Massif Central He was known for his violent play and after headbutting Ricky Evans the Welsh prop in Paris causing a ruck to collapse on him breaking his ankle resulted in his being sued successfully in the courts for damages This was the first case of its kind and BBC video evidence was used in court After that he never played for France again Merle started his career at ASM Clermont Auvergne moving then to RC Vichy Contents 1 A French championship Title private following a refereeing error with Grenoble 1993 2 Honours 3 References 4 External linksA French championship Title private following a refereeing error with Grenoble 1993 editHe also would play for FC Grenoble and despite overpowering pack called the Mammoths of Grenoble 1 his club tilts on the score of 14 11 2 A try of Olivier Brouzet is denied to Grenoble 3 and the decisive try by Gary Whetton was awarded by the referee Daniel Salles when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone This error gave the title to Castres 4 Salles admitted the error 13 years later 5 6 7 Jacques Fouroux the coach of FC Grenoble in conflict with the Federation and who was already suspicious before the match of the referee 8 cry out conspiracy 9 He returns for ASM Clermont Auvergne at the season of 1995 96 where he would stay until 1999 2000 He then moved to RC Narbonne for two seasons from 2000 01 to 2001 02 His final season was spent at Stade Aurillacois in 2002 03 The French lock had 45 caps for France scoring 6 tries 30 points in aggregate from 1993 to 1997 He was selected for the 1995 Rugby World Cup playing all the five matches He played four times at the Five Nations in 1994 1995 1996 and 1997 winning it the last time with a Grand Slam Honours editFrench premiership FC Grenoble 1993 Runners upReferences edit Pro D2 Auch La chasse aux mammouths est ouverte www ladepeche fr October 18 2008 Retrieved March 25 2019 Castres et la magie du rugby www republicain lorrain fr 3 June 2013 Retrieved 21 August 2013 Combien de fois Bayonne s est impose dans la capitale www rugbyrama fr Midi olympique 3 January 2013 Retrieved 21 August 2013 MICHEL RINGEVAL PART 2 AU BOUT D UN QUART D HEURE J AI COMPRIS QU ON NE GAGNERAIT PAS lesportdauphinois com November 19 2016 Retrieved March 25 2019 Gerry Thornley Grenoble s Jackman fast becoming one of top Irish coaches irishtimes April 12 2016 Retrieved March 25 2019 Daniel Salles a propos de Castres Grenoble en 1993 Je me suis trompe sudouest 1 June 2013 Retrieved 24 October 2013 Parc des Princes Paris 5 Juin 1993 LNR 28 December 2004 Retrieved 24 October 2012 Salviac Pierre 9 September 2015 Merci pour ces moments 50 ans de grands reportages ISBN 9791093463247 Retrieved March 25 2019 Top 14 Toulon Castres souviens toi il y a vingt ans www lepoint fr June 1 2013 Retrieved March 25 2019 External links editOlivier Merle International Statistics nbsp nbsp nbsp This biographical article relating to French rugby union is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Olivier Merle amp oldid 1182129836, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
