Bernard Laporte clearly likes Ibanez – the France head coach moved quickly to drag the Wasps star out of international retirement two years after he quit playing for the national side. Competes with Dimitri Szarzewski for the role of first-choice hooker, but usually misses out, although his experience and strength make him a vital member of the squad. Served as captain of France in the late 1990s, and led his country to the 1999 World Cup final before retiring in 2003. Spending the twilight of his career in England, joining Wasps after a spell with Saracens.