WORLD RUGBY HALL OF FAME – INDUCTEE NO.133 – FELIPE CONTEPOMI

Born: 20 August, 1977 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

From Buenos Aires to Bristol, Leinster to Toulon and finally Stade Français, Felipe Contepomi was a cult hero wherever he played.

The qualified doctor could dissect even the most organised of defences with his dazzling distribution skills and footwork from fly-half, his will to win never clouding the bonhomie in which he approached the game.

Forming a world-class half-back partnership with Agustín Pichot, Contepomi was the chief conductor of Argentina’s attack during his 15-year test career as well as being a top-level kicker.

In June 2012, he overtook Hugo Porta’s all-time record for points scored and went on to notch 651 in 87 tests for Argentina, playing many of them alongside his twin brother Manuel.

Contepomi appeared in four Rugby World Cups, most notably as an ever-present in the class of 2007 that beat the host nation France not once but twice to claim an historic bronze medal.