Michel Celaya (4 July 1930 – 2 January 2020) was a French rugby union player who played back-row for the France national rugby union team and Biarritz Olympique.

Michel Celaya
Date of birth(1930-07-04)4 July 1930
Place of birthBiarritz, France
Date of death2 January 2020(2020-01-02) (aged 89)
Place of deathBiarritz, France
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back-row
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Biarritz Olympique ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1953–1961 France 50 18
Correct as of 13 September 2020

Early life and career

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Michel Celaya was born on 4 July 1930 in Biarritz, France.[1]

Celaya earned his first cap for the France national rugby union team on 28 February 1953. [2]

He made a total of 50 official appearances for the French national team between 1953, and 1961.

Celaya was part of the French national team that won the Five Nations Championship in 1954, 1955, 1959, 1960 and 1961.

Celaya spent his entire club career at Biarritz Olympique. [3]

Death

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Celaya died at the age of 89 on 2 January 2020, in Biarritz, France.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Michel Celaya". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  2. ^ "England v France". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Former France rugby captain Michel Celaya dies aged 89". RFI. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  4. ^ "French rugby legend Michel Celaya dies at 89". en.liderendeportes.com. Retrieved 13 September 2020.