Olivier Merle
Encyclopedia
Olivier Merle is a former French rugby union footballer. He played as a lock. He was known by several nicknames, including "La Merluche" and "Le Massif Central".
Merle started his career at ASM Clermont Auvergne
, moving then to RC Vichy
. He also would play for FC Grenoble
, returning 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.
Merle started his career at ASM Clermont Auvergne
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club...
, moving then to RC Vichy
RC Vichy
The Racing Club Vichy Football is a French association football club founded in 1945. They are based in Vichy, Auvergne and are currently playing in the Auvergne Division d’Honneur, the sixth tier in the French football league system...
. He also would play for FC Grenoble
FC Grenoble
Football Club de Grenoble Alpes Rugby is a French rugby union club which, until recently, competed in the top level of the French league system. They play at Stade Lesdiguières . They wear red and blue.-History:...
, returning for ASM Clermont Auvergne at the season of 1995/96, where he would stay until 1999/2000. He then moved to RC Narbonne
RC Narbonne
Racing Club de Narbonne Méditerannée is a French rugby union club that play in the second-level Rugby Pro D2, after finishing at the bottom of the 2006-07 Top 14 table....
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
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
, scoring 6 tries, 30 points in aggregate, from 1993 to 1997. He was selected for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
, playing all the five matches. He played four times at the Five Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
, in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, winning it the last time, with a Grand Slam.