Imanol goes through pain barrier in Basque country

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

- Brendan Gallagher

What’s happening here?

Its May 2, 2010 and Imanol Harinordoquy, the France No.8, is packing down for Biarritz in their Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster at the Estadio Anoeta just over the border in San Sebastian.

Two weeks earlier he had badly broken his nose in two places in a Top 14 game but Imanol was Biarritz’s totem pole player, they needed him on the pitch against a marauding Munster side who took no prisoners in Europe. The night before the match a cleverly improvised facial guard had been banned by the officials so Biarritz went back to the drawing board and came up with this Hannibal Lecter contraption.

What’s the story behind the picture?

The fact that Imanol was willing to bite the bullet and go through the pain barrier says much about him but it also speaks volumes of his reputation as a player and his standing in the changing room.