Biography of Sébastien Chabal
Sébastien Chabal was born 8 December 1977 in France, in the Department of Drôme, Valence, third son of a family originating in Ardèche: the mother is employed in a jewelry store, while the father works in a machine shop. Grew up in an environment of humble origins, he studied mechanics at professional Lyceum, then go to work in Crest, in a factory of Salmon.
His first professional experiences in the world of rugby
After having started playing rugby at the age of sixteen at amateur level as part of the team of Beauvallon, leaves the factory work in 1998 to devote himself to the sport and plays with Valence Sportif, which plays in Fédérale 2, the fourth French series. Shortly after Burgoin, who is chosen by the first transalpine series: in 1999 comes in the final in the European Challenge Cup (but his team is beaten for 35 to 16 from Montferrand) and in the cup of France: in this case, however, Castano and his teammates are defeated (by 27 to 19 from the Stade Français).The French national debut
On 4 March of 2000, barely twenty-three, Sébastien Chabal begins with the French national team, his debut came in a Six Nations match at Murrayfield against Scotland. In 2003, when his team arrives back in France Cup final-which they lost-, took part for the first time at the rugby World Cup: France reaches the semifinals, only to lose the match for third and fourth place against New Zealand for 40 to 13. During the exhibition, Chabal is engaged in sporadically, making just two appearances as a Starter: this is why he complains to coach Bernard Laporte attacking him openly.In England
Excluded, for this reason, from the national team for more than a year, in 2004 the Valence rugby player goes to play in the Premiership, the English League, signing a contract for the Sale Sharks. With his new team wins his first trophy in 2005, winning the European Challenge Cup due to the success in the final against Pau. Then comes the Championship: in his second season in England, he won the Premiership by virtue of the final against Leicester Tigers won 45 to 20. During the same period, becomes father of Lily-Rose, her first daughter, had by his wife Annick.Among the largest in the world
In 2007 Chabal won his first six Nations match with France, scoring two goals in the first match against Italy (finished 39 to 3) and participates in its second World Cup, held right at home. His role as third line Center is occupied by Imanol Harinordoquy: why Laporte, with whom relations meanwhile have been sewn, it ranks as the second line. Chabal scored two tries in the match against Namibia; the France arrives again in the semifinals, and once again loses the match for third and fourth place, beaten by Argentina for 34 to 10.The return in France
Two years later the athlete leaves England to return to play in France, contracted by the Racing Métro 92; We talk about a possible participation in the film "Invictus," but the opportunity vanishes on the top. In 2010 he comes back to win the Six Nations, with France getting the Grand Slam, although because of back pain have to jump two matches and took part in the other three games always starting from the bench. The following year, Sébastien Chabal dispute his last international match: March 12 of 2011 is, and the opponent is Italy, during the Six Nations. A few days after being banned for 60 days for criticising a referee, and this is likely to skip the final step of the Top14: Luckily for him, the disqualification is reduced to ten days, to which must be added the work of general interest. The Racing will come then to the semifinals. In February 2012 Chabal says goodbye to his team, with the cancelled contract because of differences of opinion between the player and the coach Pierre Berbizier. Emigrated to Australia some time in France when he was hired by Sébastien back in Lyon, the team that plays in Pro D2. Thanks to its performance, the team at the end of the 2013/14 season is promoted in the Top14, having finished the season in first place.Retiring from competitive rugby
In the spring of 2014, Sébastien Chabal announced his retirement from racing, having racked up 62 caps for the French national team.Article contributed by the team of collaborators.