Chabal weighs up Sale exit

Sharks forward could return to France at the end of the season

Last updated: 23rd October 2008

Chabal weighs up Sale exit

Chabal: Could leave for France

Personally, I want to stay at Sale where I am playing at the heart of a very good team. I feel good there, but there are personal reasons which mean I could return to France.

Sebastien Chabal
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Sale have been rocked by news that talismanic forward Sebastien Chabal could quit the club at the end of the season.

Chabal, who has earned cult status for his looks and rampaging style of play, joined the Sharks from Bourgoin in 2004.

However, he could be set to return to France before his current deal expires in 2011 due to family commitments.

And following discussions with Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre, Chabal has admitted that a return to France is something he is now considering.

"As it stands, I am under contract with Sale until 2011, with that last season an option," he told L'Equipe.

"Personally, I want to stay at Sale where I am playing at the heart of a very good team. I feel good there, but there are personal reasons which mean I could return to France.

"My wife and my kids live in England. They haven't moved away. But my eldest is studying in France and it is true that my wife, who has also stayed in France with the little one, hasn't come back since the end of the (summer) holidays.

"At the moment, I am coming and going and it is weighing on me.

Idea

"If I have a family, it is to live with them. So that is bothering me.

"I wouldn't have wanted to speak about it so early in the season but it was Philippe who brought up the subject. He said, 'You can't continue like this. You could return to France next season'.

"It was just an idea thrown out there by Philippe."

Toulon have already attempted to sign Chabal in the past, while 'Seabass' has attracted interest from clubs in Japan and New Zealand.

And Saint-Andre confirmed he would not prevent Chabal leaving if that is what he wants to do.

"I had an honest and frank discussion with Seb some days ago," said Saint-Andre.

"There is no problem with him on a sporting level. It's a question of problems outside the game, an estrangement from his family which is weighing too heavily on him.

"He will finish the season with us and he will leave. We can't keep aayer against his wish and stop him from being happy."

Comments (4)

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Dennis Harkin says...

as a munster suppporter and a big fan of rugby union what a pity to see him leave sale,but he leaves behind alot memories of the battles with us.fantastic attitude,fantastic athlete and a person that some of the spoilt footballers in the premiership should take note!!!!!!!

Posted 13:34 23rd October 2008

Todd Marshall says...

What a great guy, totally honest and nothing done behind his teams back a credit to the game.

Posted 23:24 22nd October 2008

Gareth Hurton says...

As a Sale supporter I would not want him to go........but as a father I can understand he wants to be with his family. Good for the coach for listening to the player,hope something is sorted and you stay in a team that is going to win things this season!!

Posted 22:09 22nd October 2008

Tony Horrobin says...

As a Sale Sharks supporter it would be of great sadness that Chabal would go but we must understand thats its for the right reasons and not on the hunt for more money like many of our footballer friends. It just goes to show the man for what he truly is, A Great Man. Good luck to him whatever he decides.

Posted 18:14 22nd October 2008
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