France forward Sebastien Chabal is delighted to be making his first start at No.8 for three years against Argentina.
Switch from lock suits fans' favourite
Veteran France forward Sebastien Chabal is delighted to be making his first start at number eight for three years against Argentina on Saturday.
The former Sale Sharks star has spent most of his club career at number eight but, at international level, successive France coaches Bernard Laporte and Marc Lievremont have played him at lock because of his perceived lack of running power and stamina.
Chabal, 32, has won just 10 of his 56 France caps at number eight, the last two in New Zealand in June 2007.
"I'm delighted because number eight has always been my favourite position," the Racing Metro forward said. "I always said I would rather play in the centre of the back row rather than in the second row but I also said that if had to play as a lock I would do it without a fuss."
France forwards coach Didier Retiere added: "Sebastien has been working very hard and has made a lot of progress in terms of mobility. We wanted to test him at number eight last November but at the time he was more useful as a lock."
The marauding giant with the flowing locks and beard has been voted "France's best-loved sportsman" by readers of sports daily
L'Equipe for the last two years.
