'Le Caveman' cometh
Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:51
Wallaby flank George Smith is relishing the opportunity of going head-to-head with one of the most recognisable figures on the international rugby stage - French utility forward Sebastien Chabal.
Chabal, nicknamed the 'Caveman' because of his hirsute appearance, will headline a depleted 26-man French squad - of which the first group will touch down in Sydney on Thursday to start preparations for the two-Test series against Australia.
Also known as 'C-Bass' and 'The Hairy One' by his legions of fans across the globe, Chabal is famous for his confrontational, take-no-prisoners approach to the game.
Smith is looking forward to coming up against Chabal again.
"Yeah he's got a cult following in France," Smith said in an interview on the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) website, when asked about the giant Frenchman.
"And everyone recognises him when he does play.
"He's very aggressive and very energetic on the field and loves to talk it up - so it will be great to play against him."
The 188cm, 115kg Chabal is well recognised for his long wavy black hair and his healthy beard.
The 29-year-old has played 39 Tests for France, including playing a major part in one of French rugby's most famous results in recent years – the 20–18 victory over New Zealand in the quarterfinal of last year's World Cup.
Top French club Biarritz provide the biggest contingent of the touring party, with six players in coach Marc Lièvremont's squad.
Among the familiar faces in the squad are pugnacious hooker Sébastien Bruno, dynamic loose forward Fulgence Ouedraogo, explosive No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy, reliable goal-kicking scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili, skilful flyhalf Benjamin Boyet, hard running centre Damien Traille and speedy fullback Pépito Elhorga.
Newcomers include exciting Brive fullback Alexis Palisson who has been give the nod as has Lièvremont's younger brother, Dax flank Mathieu Lièvremont.
Sale Sharks No.8 Chabal will also be used as a lock.
Castres lock Lionel Nallet retains his place as captain.
Amongst the new faces are Leicester hooker Benjamin Kayser, Albi prop Pierre Correia and Biarritz prop Benoit Lecouls, who at 30 years of age is making a late debut at international level.
Montauban loose forward Yannick Caballero earns his for call up to the national squad after proving to be one of the best line-out jumpers in the Top 14.
Toulouse centre/wing Maxime Mermoz, who is rumoured to be on his way to Perpignan next season, has been released by his club and is joined by other first-timers Sébastien Tillous-Borde, who is rewarded for an excellent season at scrumhalf for Castres, Albi centre Thibault Lacroix and wings Jean-Baptiste Peyras who scored eight tries for Bayonne this season and David Janin from Bourgoin.
Stars left out from Lievremont's squad include Arnaud Méla, Ibrahim Diarra and Julien Tomas.
French squad:
Forwards: Lionel Faure (Sale), Benjamin Kayser (Leicester), Sébastien Bruno (Sale), Pierre Correia (Albi), Renaud Boyoud (Dax), Benoît Lecouls (Biarritz), David Couzinet (Biarritz), Lionel Nallet (Castres), Sébastien Chabal (Sale), Mathieu Lièvremont (Dax), Yannick Caballero (Montauban), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz).
Backs: Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), Sébastien Tillous-Borde (Castres), Benjamin Boyet (Bourgoin), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Maxime Mermoz (Toulouse), Thibault Lacroix (Albi), Damien Traille (Biarritz), Alexis Palisson (Brive), Benjamin Thiéry (Biarritz), Pépito Elhorga (Bayonne), Jean-Baptiste Peyras (Bayonne), David Janin (Bourgoin).
