David Skrela

David Skrela
Birth nameDavid Skrela
Date of birth (1979-03-02) 2 March 1979 (age 45)
Place of birthToulouse, France
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
Notable relative(s)Jean-Claude Skrela (father), Gaëlle Skrela (sister)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half, Fly-half, Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Stade Français ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–2003
2003–2008
2008–2011
2011–2013
2013–2016		 Colomiers
Stade Français
Toulouse
Clermont
Colomiers		 45
114
56
41
53		 (497)
(1,119)
(596)
(215)
(639)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2011 France 23 (112)
Correct as of 24 November 2011

David Skrela (born 2 March 1979) is a former French rugby union player. He most notably played for Stade Français and Toulouse in the Top 14 as well as the French national side as a fly-half or centre. He was renowned for his tackles and his kicking skills.

Club career

In three years at Toulouse he won the Heineken Cup and the Top 14. In the 2010 Heineken Cup final he scored three penalties and two drop goals as Toulouse defeated Biarritz.[1]

International career

Skrela, right, holding ball; France vs. Argentina, 7 September 2007

Skrela won his first full international cap for France on 30 June 2001 against New Zealand. He did not earn his second until six years later, when his performances for Stade Français attracted the attention of French coach Bernard Laporte. He was part of the 2007 France Six Nations and World Cup squads and played in many of the team's matches. After returning to his hometown club Toulouse he was again selected under new coach Marc Lièvremont for France's 2008 autumn tests. On 11 May 2011 he was selected by Marc Lièvremont to participate in the next 2011 Rugby World Cup. The French coach underlined Skrela's skills and maturity. Skrela was injured in the opening game against Japan and withdrew from the tournament and replaced by Jean-Marc Doussain.[2] France were beaten in the final by hosts New Zealand.

(Source: French Rugby Federation official website profile.)

Personal life

Skrela is the son of the famous French international rugby player and coach Jean-Claude Skrela. His sister, Gaëlle, is a professional basketball player. He is of Polish descent on his father's side. At his father's insistence, he completed a diploma in civil engineering at Toulouse's Institut National des Sciences Appliquées before beginning his rugby career full-time.[3] He is married to Celine, and has a daughter and a son; Cabiro and Mathieu.[4]

Honours

US Colomiers

Stade Français

Stade Toulousain

References

  1. ^ "Biarritz 19-21 Toulouse". BBC. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Skrela out of tournament". scotsman.com. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Keys to No 10 rest in Skrela's hungry hands". Independent. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Carnet rose: Skrela papa". stade.fr. 4 March 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  5. ^ "CHAMPION DES CHAMPIONS DU TOP 14: STADE FRANÇAIS 2004". rmcsport.bfmtv.com. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Top 14 de rugby: ce soir, le Stade Français affronte Clermont en finale". ladepeche.fr. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2021.