RUGBY’S SECOND GREATEST beard [the title was lost this season to Gordon D'Arcy's short-lived but much loved creation] has officially announced his retirement.
Although Sébastien Chabal’s bite went about five years ago, the bark and the beard remained and picked up some pay-cheques and appearance fees. He finished up his playing days with Lyon in Pro-D2 [the French second division] and retires having played more than 230 club games and 62 Tests for his country.
Munster supporters will raise a glass — or mug of Barrys tea — today to the bustling forward as he heads off into rugby retirement. We felt there was no better way of summing up Chabal’s career than with a couple of memorable moments: battering New Zealand at the 2007 World Cup and getting driven back by the Munster pack in 2006.
Farewell to l’Homme des Cavernes.