Chabal: We have 30 Zidanes

2007-08-28 08:14

Duncan Johnstone

Paris - Sebastian Chabal believes France are on course to win the Rugby World Cup on home soil and has likened the side to the nation's world soccer champions of 1998.

Chabal, dubbed "The Caveman" for his long hair and wild looks, senses real confidence building in the French side after some solid warm-up matches.

Successive victories against England (twice) and Wales have the French camp in a buoyant mood.

Even Chabal, a sullen figure on their recent trip to New Zealand where he sealed his Cup berth among a weak touring team, is upbeat now that he is in the mix of top players who are obviously starting to fire nicely.

He even went as far as mentioning a footballing great in the same breath as the current rugby players.

"There are 30 Zinedine Zidanes in this French squad," he told The Western Mail newspaper in the aftermath of France's win over Wales.

"We think a lot about winning the World Cup. Now we have done everything we needed to do to be champions and we just have to play the games.

"I think we are in the right position to start the World Cup now. We won our three friendly games which showed everybody we are ready, and it's good for our confidence."

He feels there is a chance to replicate the 1998 soccer heroics when France hosted the world's biggest footballing tournament and clinched the title as they were swept along by the national fervour.

"It was a huge event when France won the football in 1998. There were 10 million people in Paris and it was unbelievable," said Chabal.

Chabal, a powerful back row forward who scored the crucial try against England at Twickenham and broke Ali Williams's jaw in New Zealand this winter with a bone-jarring tackle, looks likely to be moved into lock for the tournament as coach Bernard Laporte maximises his resources.

Chabal played in the second row against Wales and says he is up for that if it means getting more game time.

"Bernard spoke about moving me a few years ago, but he never did it," Chabal said. "But just before he named the squad he called me and said he really wanted to pick me but as a second rower. I agreed and accepted it as a good challenge.

"Whether it's as a second row or a back row, all I want is to play and that's what's most important to me."

- Rugby Heaven