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Faure in... Chabal out

Jenny Dixon
23/ 1/2008

A NEW coach has heralded a new era for France’s international squad, and a potential new headache for Sharks’ director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre.

Though the Stockport-based Sharks will not lose Gallic international pair Sebastien Chabal and Sebastien Bruno to the Six Nations this year, they must cope without prop Lionel Faure who has been called into the French squad for the first time.

Uncapped Faure was surprised to learn on Tuesday morning that at the end of this week he will be heading to Paris to join the French squad as they prepare for the match against Scotland on February 3.

Thirty-year-old Faure told the Express: "I was surprised when I got the good news.

"When I signed for Sale three years ago I thought it would be a very good opportunity to play for a very big team in Europe and thought it would give me some chance of playing for France.

"I’m quite sad for Seabass [Chabal] and Seb [Bruno], it’s a surprise.

"There’s a new coach and new staff so they have changed some players and brought some new ones in."

The call-up by France’s new coach Marc Lievremont was a welcome boost for Faure following two disappointing displays by Sharks in the European Challenge Cup.

He explained: "Against Petrarca we won but we didn’t play well and, to be fair, we played badly against Montpellier, it’s great to get some good news after that."

Another of Sale’s loosehead props Andrew Sheridan is a key figure in England’s current squad, but Saint-Andre is keen to stay positive despite the double blow.

"We have two looseheads representing their countries: Sheridan for England and Faure for France," he said. "Faure has developed very well. It just shows when there is competition in one position the players push each other."

Saint-Andre believes there is plenty of cover for the vacant prop’s post with Eifion Roberts, Benoit Bourrust, Ben Evans and Stuart Turner all now fit.