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