Imanol Harinordoquy admits he is out for revenge as well as a Grand Slam when he lines up against England on Saturday.
France number eight desperate to gain revenge for English defeats
France No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy admits he is out for revenge as well as a Grand Slam when he lines up against England in the final RBS Six nations game on Saturday.
The French could secure their first Grand Slam since 2004 when England visit the Stade de France on Saturday, but for some the game will be a personal battle.
Harinordoquy has a number of painful defeats at the hands of England to get out of his mind, and there would be no better way then beating them to clinch the Six Nations and win the Grand Slam.
The 30-year-old Biarritz star has tasted World Cup semi-final defeats in 2003 and 2007 against England, and also suffered a 34-10 thrashing at Twickenham last year.
"England are a team who I like to play against because they are a great side," said Harinordoquy.
Fight
"You know that you are in for a hell of a match and that your opposite number is not going to concede an inch. There will be of course fights.
"But there is no hatred, nothing personal.
"I am a vindictive personality, however. England is a team that has prevented us from playing in two World Cup finals, so therefore yes we really want to beat them."
Harinordoquy has won just four of his 10 games against England, but hopes to add another one in his 62nd cap on Saturday.
Although England are out of the reckoning, Harinordoquy believes they will do anything to prevent France from winning the Six Nations.
Intensity
"If the English are not here to win the title, they will be here to get up our noses," he said.
"It will be the toughest match of the Six Nations in terms of intensity.
"We will not be there to put on a spectacle, we have something to win."
Harinordoquy says winning a Grand Slam would be a big step towards next year's World Cup, while he wants to be as successful as possible in the twilight of his career.
"The team needs this in order to grow in stature," he added.
"It is vital to put the cherry on the cake, and Grand Slams don't come along very often.
"When one is approaching the end of ones career internationally, you appreciate them more than at the beginning.
"When one is younger, one says to oneself there will be others and more that time moves on you accept that there won't be any more."
