French build new style around power of Chabal

AFTER 15 months in the wilderness, Sebastian Chabal has been given such a warm welcome by Le Blues that they are ready to change their system to accommodate the sheer power of the back-row forward.

"To prepare for an international game with a totally reshuffled back-row after Olivier Magne, Serge Betsen and Imanol Harinordoquy were ruled out, is not easy," France coach Bernard Laporte told reporters yesterday at the training camp in Marcoussis, south of Paris.

"We knew that Olivier Magne would be out for a long time and Julien Bonnaire was already marked down to replace him. We wanted two line-up jumpers in the back-row, Bonnaire can jump and we decided to recall Patrick Tabacco who is a real specialist."

Laporte, however, admitted that it was more difficult to cope with the withdrawal of Serge Betsen because he is "a very specific player.

"It was impossible to find somebody who would fill Betsen’s shoes and take over his part so we decided to give a chance to Chabal, who is a very different player," he said.

"We know Sebastien is not going to go ferreting around the pitch, his great assets are his aggressive ball-carrying ability, the power of his running from behind the scrum and around the rucks. We want to use them to cross the gain-line and we shall have to adapt our game."

One of the characteristics of the French system has been to play several phases through powerful centres Damien Traille, Yannick Jauzion and Brian Liebenberg before launching wide moves.

Laporte refused to elaborate further on the tactical changes he was considering, but his assistant Jacques Brunel hinted that Chabal’s power could be used straight from set-pieces.

Chabal was dropped after winning the last of his 20 caps in the 2003 World Cup third-place playoff against New Zealand, but found a new lease of life after moving from Bourgoin to Sale.

"Running through the defences is just what I try to do at Sale and they seem to like it," Chabal said.

"I know I’m not a long- distance runner, but I can bring power and aggression to the team. I also know that if I bungle it there won’t be another chance."

With injury absences and recent losses at home, Laporte is trying to compensate with enthusiasm and avoid any complacency when France begin the defence of their Six Nations title against Scotland tomorrow.

"We need to be professional. Rugby is like boxing, you have to start well," said Laporte. "If you do not show enough intensity you will fall from a great height."

Captain Fabien Pelous also warned against taking the Scots lightly, despite the visitors’ poor record of just two wins in 12 games last year. "We need to prepare well. The Scots will come here with the intention of taking their chances," Pelous said. "But we will not give them the opportunity."

Frederic Michalak’s replacement at stand-off Yann Delaigue will share penalty duties against Scotland with his centres Traille and Liebenberg.

A doubt over the fitness of Paul Griffen means former captain Alessandro Troncon has been preferred at scrum-half for Italy’s opening Six Nations clash with Ireland in Rome on Sunday.

Troncon, who is Italy’s most capped player ever with 85 appearances, missed the whole of last year’s Six Nations tournament because of a knee injury.

Italy (v Ireland in Rome on Sunday): R De Marigny; M Bergamasco, G Canale, A Masi, L Nitoglia; L Orquera, A Troncon; A Lo Cicero, F Ongaro or G Intoppa, M Castrogiovanni, S Dellape, M Bortolami (capt), A Persico, S Parisse, M Bergamasco. Subs: S Perugini, G Intoppa or C Festuccia, C A Del Fava, D Dal Maso, P Griffen or P Travagli, W Pozzebon, K Robertson.