Biography
Oriol Ripol Fortuny, born on September 6, 1975, in Barcelona, is a former Spanish rugby union player. He is the son of a former rugby player for FC Barcelona. Oriol began playing rugby at the age of 5 at the Barcelona Universitari Club (BUC), one of Spain’s oldest clubs. After completing his initial education, he went to study English at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, where he experienced rugby as a way of life.
Upon returning to Spain, Oriol continued his rugby career with BUC and later joined the Unió Esportiva Santboiana, participating in the top tier of Spanish rugby. His international career took off in 1999 when he played in the Rugby World Cup held in Wales, representing Spain in their only World Cup appearance to date. Oriol’s professional journey includes playing for various clubs in Spain, Wales, France, and England, where he achieved significant success.
Teams and Years Played
- Barcelona Universitari Club (1980-1994)
- Auckland University (1995-1997)
- Barcelona Universitari Club (1997-1998)
- Unió Esportiva Santboiana (1998-1999)
- Bridgend RFC (1999-2000)
- Moraleja Alcobendas R.U. (2000-2001)
- Rotherham Rugby (2001-2002, 2004-2005)
- Northampton Saints (2002-2004)
- Sale Sharks (2005-2009)
- Worcester Warriors (2010-2011)
International Appearances Oriol made his debut for the Spanish national team in 1996 at the age of 21. He was a regular in the national team until 2003 when he decided to step back from international duty. He also played for the Spanish rugby sevens team and was invited to play for the prestigious Barbarian F.C. on two occasions, scoring three tries in his first appearance.
Key Moments in His Sporting Career
- Representing Spain in the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales.
- Winning the Guinness Premiership with Sale Sharks in 2006.
- Winning the European Challenge Cup with Sale Sharks in 2005.
- Achieving promotion to the Guinness Premiership with Rotherham Rugby in 2002.
- Achieving promotion to the RFU Championship with Worcester Warriors in 2011.
- Playing for the Barbarians in a charity match against London Irish in 2003 and being invited again in 2009.
Oriol Ripol’s career is marked by his international experiences and contributions to both club and country, making him a significant figure in Spanish rugby history.