Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Chamalières, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
About Olivier Merle
- Olivier Merle (born 14 November 1965 in Chamalières, Puy-de-Dôme) 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".
- 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.
- 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.
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