Hard man Harinordoquy silent after dad enters pitch brawl

STANDING 6ft 3in and weighing in at 16.5 stone, you would think French rugby player Imanol Harinordoquy would be able to look after himself on the pitch. But judging by this video, he still looks to his dad to get him out of trouble.

Father Lucien stunned spectators at the Biarritz v Bayonne match yesterday, when he ran on to the pitch to confront Bayonne player Jean Jo Marmouyet, who had clashed with Imanol. The irate dad was prevented from reaching his target by a desperate tackle from one of Marmouyet's team-mates.

Bayonne's director of rugby Christian Gajan later described Harinordoquy Snr's behaviour as "deplorable". The assailant's son has chosen not to comment. ·