‘Caveman’ kept for Irish tie

PARIS – France coach Bernard Laporte retained iconic second rower Sebastien Chabal for Friday’s crunch World Cup clash against Ireland in Stade de France.

In the absence of the injured Fabien Pelous, the in-form Chabal has been preferred over Lionel Nallet – both of whom scored two tries each in the 87-10 win over Namibia last Sunday – in the second row. France skipper Raphael Ibanez has been given the all clear after taking a heavy blow to the throat when he came on as a second half substitute in the thrashing of Namibia in Toulouse.However, after undergoing further tests, he was cleared along with Jerome Thion and veteran flanker Serge Betsen for a match which could decide the hosts destiny.AFPFrance skipper Raphael Ibanez has been given the all clear after taking a heavy blow to the throat when he came on as a second half substitute in the thrashing of Namibia in Toulouse.However, after undergoing further tests, he was cleared along with Jerome Thion and veteran flanker Serge Betsen for a match which could decide the hosts destiny.AFP