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The Namibia national rugby union team represents Namibia in men's international rugby union competitions nicknamed the Welwitschias, are a tier-two nation in the World Rugby tier system, and have participated in seven Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999. They are governed by the Namibia Rugby Union.
Philip John Vickery MBE DL is a former English rugby union tighthead prop and member of the England squad. He was a member of England's World Cup winning squad in 2003, playing in all seven matches in the tournament, and is a former England captain. Vickery ended his club rugby career at London Wasps, joining the London side in 2006 after eleven years with Gloucester Rugby. Given the nickname "Raging Bull", he played in three Rugby World Cups, including as England captain in the 2007 tournament, and toured Australia and South Africa with the British & Irish Lions. Made his debut for Bolingey Barbarians Sunday 25th Sept 2022 vs Bude vets.
The France national rugby union team represents the French Rugby Federation in men's international rugby union matches. Colloquially known as Le XV de France, the team traditionally wears blue shirts with a Gallic rooster embroidered on the chest, white shorts and red socks in reference to the French national flag. Les Bleus mostly play home matches at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship along with England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. France have won the tournament on 26 occasions, winning the Grand Slam 10 times.
Sir Michael Niko Jones is a New Zealand former rugby union player and coach.
Junior Malili "Mils" Muliaina is a former professional rugby union player who most recently played for San Francisco Rush in the US PRO Rugby competition. He played primarily as a fullback, though he has also played as a centre and on the wing.
Joseph Paul Richard Worsley, is a retired English rugby union player who played flanker for Wasps and England.
Simon Dalton Shaw MBE is a former English rugby union player who played as a lock. He played for Bristol, London Wasps and Toulon. He won 71 caps for England between 1996 and 2011, and 2 for the British & Irish Lions, with whom he toured 3 times.
Craig Gower is an Italian-Australian former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He is a dual-code rugby international, having played rugby league for Australia and rugby union for Italy. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian Kangaroos representative halfback or hooker, he played in the National Rugby League for Sydney club the Penrith Panthers. Gower then switched rugby union, playing for French Top 14 side Bayonne, and through grandparentage represented Italy. He returned to rugby league with the London Broncos in the Super League and then finished his playing career with one more National Rugby League season at the Newcastle Knights.
Earl Va'a is a former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played internationally for Samoa. He has played as a fly-half in union and as a fullback and five-eighth in league.
Gonzalo Quesada is a retired Argentine rugby player who presently works as head coach for the Italy national rugby union team.
Gonzalo Canale is an Italian Argentine rugby union footballer. His usual position is in the centre or at full back. He plays for French club ASM Clermont Auvergne. Canale has also been capped for the Italy national team, and was a part of their squad at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Matthew Phillips is a New Zealand-born former rugby union footballer. His usual position was at Number 8.
Rimas Álvarez Kairelis is an Argentine rugby union rugby player. He currently plays for Perpignan in the Top 14 in France. He has represented Argentina, and was part of the Argentine squad at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2007 Rugby World Cup. His usual position is at lock.
Xavier Garbajosa is a retired French rugby player who was most recently the manager of Top 14 side Lyon.
Fulgence Ouedraogo is a former French rugby union player. He played the entirety of his 17 year career for Montpellier Hérault RC in the Top 14 championship. His usual position was as a flanker.
Juan Manuel Murré is a former rugby union player. He played as a prop. Born in Argentina, he is a naturalised citizen of Portugal and has played for that national team.
James Hector Love, known as Jim Love, is a New Zealand rugby union coach and a former footballer.
Italy have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments, having made their first appearance in the inaugural 1987 tournament. They have finished third in their pool at every tournament, except in 1999, the only tournament where they lost more than two games. Having never finished in the top two in their pool, they have never qualified to progress to the quarter-finals. They have won the most matches of those that have never made it to the quarter-finals.
Leo Lafaiali'i is a Samoan rugby union footballer.
John Payne was born on the 1 February 1980 in Manly. He is an Australian-born Tongan former rugby union player. He played as a centre.
