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Popular Chabal remains focused

Wednesday 19th November 2008

Crowd favourite: S�bastien Chabal

Fearsome forward S�bastien Chabal will start for France in Saturday's Test match against Australia at the Stade de France, much to the delight of a French public who have always held him in the highest esteem.

Les Bleus' rugby fans will assert that Chabal is capable of filling a stadium on his own: his first touch of the ball after coming on during France's 12-6 victory over Argentina in Marseille's Stade Velodrome provoked the kind of reaction usually reserved for 80-metre tries.

"The public's support for S�bastien will certainly be important at the beginning of the match," said French forwards coach Didier Retiere.

"Everyone is looking forward to his return."

It was a similar story in France's 42-17 win against the Pacific Islanders in Montbeliard last Saturday, when, despite being initially confined to the bench, the mere mention of his name during the team announcements drew huge roars from the crowd.

The fans were on their feet again shortly after his introduction when he produced a trademark shuddering challenge to stop Tongan number eight Sisa Koyamaibole in his tracks.

The tackle brought to mind a thumping hit on New Zealand number eight Chris Masoe in June last year that is credited with launching the Chabal myth, and which has been viewed over a million times on video-sharing websites.

Chabal, though, does not allow his enormous popularity to disrupt his match-day focus.

"It's a bit of a thing these days, but it doesn't affect my preparations at all", he said.

"When I come onto the pitch, I can't really hear what's being said."

Chabal knows that his place in the starting XV is far from assured, and he is not afraid to declare his "surprise" at being selected ahead of the in-form Romain Millo-Chluski.

Moreover, Chabal's selection will require him to re-acquaint himself with the second row, having evolved into a number eight at English side Sale, his club since 2004.

"The position suits him better in my view, particularly if you consider the demands on the number eight in our style of play," explained French coach Marc Li�vremont.

"He's much more dangerous there than at number eight."

Chabal was left out of the French squad for this year's Six Nations before Li�vremont recalled him for the summer tour of Australia.

"If I regret one thing, it's the chaotic nature of my time in the national side," said Chabal.

"I wasn't ready when I was first called up (in 2000), which explains the disappointments which followed. I've still had a wonderful time though, even if I've never managed to properly secure a place in the side."

Li�vremont, though, seems happy to count on Chabal for the time being.

"I don't see him having a future where he's in and out of the French team," said the France coach.

The French public - and broadcasters - certainly will not complain.