Blanco hospitalised after heart scare

[Bullitt]

http://www.scrum.com/france/rugby/story/93227.html?CMP=RSS

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

French legend Serge Blanco has undergone surgery after suffering a heart attack

France legend Serge Blanco has undergone surgery in a private hospital in Biarritz after suffering a heart scare. Biarritz chairman Blanco was taken to hospital on Sunday night after complaining of chest pains and underwent surgery in order to have stents put in his arteries to keep them open.

"Serge Blanco was taken to hospital as a precaution and underwent an operation (on Monday). Strictly speaking this was not a heart attack," club official Marcel Martin told Reuters. "Surgery went well and he's recovering well. He should leave the clinic before the end of the week."

Blanco, 50, is one of the all-time great players, winning 91 caps for France at fullback and propelling them into the final of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 with a stunning solo try against Australia in the semi-final.

Since retiring last year as president of the Ligue National de Rugby (LNR), the governing body of the French league system, he has focused on his beloved Biarritz, for whom he played for his entire career. Blanco was inducted into the IRB Hall OF Fame in 1997.[/b]

 

[shtove]

He used to have a few drags of a ciggie between every try and conversion. But I think it's les pains au chocolat that got him in the end.

 

[danny]

Hope he get well soon. The guy has put on so much weight that this is not entirely surprising. Hard to believe he was the greatest full back of all time when you see him now.