Rugby: "I have memories that are still there, but for others..." Philippe Sella opens up about his memory problems

Philippe Sella, a legendary figure in French rugby with 111 caps for the national team, has revealed the health challenges he is currently facing, including memory issues and a battle with prostate cancer.

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I have memories that come back, moments that are still there in my memory. But I know that for some others, I had to give up.

In an interview with Rugbyrama, the 64-year-old shared details about his prostate cancer treatment, which involved surgery in 2021 to remove a "cancerous lymph node." He now undergoes regular check-ups, with recent tests showing a slight increase in his PSA levels, leading to fifteen additional radiation therapy sessions in 2025.

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I underwent fifteen more sessions of radiotherapy in 2025

Sella also spoke about his struggles with immediate memory loss, a condition he believes is linked to the numerous concussions he suffered throughout his distinguished career. He recalled a specific incident during his first international match in 1982 and another during the 1987 World Cup, admitting he has "no memory" of the latter match.

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What did I do to end up here?

Reflecting on his health, Sella mentioned the difficult questions he asked himself, such as "What did I do to end up here?" He also touched upon his son Geoffrey's decision to end his own rugby career at age 26 due to concussions, emphasizing the importance of open communication about such issues.

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We are in regular contact with him to know if everything is okay. We have to, because sometimes people don't dare to talk about these issues.