Former France international Sebastien Chabal has confirmed he will move to Australia to play Super Rugby in the coming weeks.

It may be cold enough here in Paris to leave eskimos pining for the frozen tundra of their homelands but the hot air currently being generated by French rugby folk more than compensates for the polar conditions.

Leinster should know within a matter of days whether they have been successful in their attempt to secure the signature of former All Black and World Cup winner Brad Thorn on an emergency short-term contract.

Former France international number eight Sebastien Chabal has revealed a breakdown in relations with coach Pierre Berbizier has led to his departure from Top 14 side Racing Metro.

Racing Metro 24 Edinburgh 27

London Irish 19 Racing Metro 25

HE’S a powerful back-row and an explosive runner who has become a cult figure among his supporters and the subject of tribute videos on the internet.

MARC LIEVREMONT’S gift for the unexpected makes second-guessing the French coach a foolish business but the expectation is that Cedric Heymans will be named in the national squad on Sunday.

RACING METRO’S Sebastien Chabal was yesterday banned for 60 days for criticising Top 14 referees, ending his season.

Racing-Metro’s Sebastien Chabal has today been banned for 60 days for criticising Top 14 referees, ending his season.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, national team boss Marc Lievremont declared.

Sebastien Chabal was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, according to national team boss Marc Lievremont.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

France back-row forward Sebastien Chabal has apologised for his critical comments about referees which have landed him a ban – but stopped short of retracting them.

France 28 Wales 9

France coach Marc Lievremont today admitted his regret at an outburst following Saturday's defeat by Italy in which he suggested several players may not represent Les Bleus again.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made five changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Paris.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

Sebastien Chabal was one of six players dropped from the France squad tonight as coach Marc Lievremont held true to his promise of making changes following yesterday’s defeat to Italy.

Sebastien Chabal has retained his place in the France XV for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash in Italy.

England 17 France 9

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont insists the changes made to his side for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match with England are based on squad rotation rather than any special measures designed to outfox Martin Johnson’s men.

France coach Marc Lievremont insists the changes made to his side for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match with England are based on squad rotation rather than any special measures designed to outfox Martin Johnson’s men.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL believes Irish indiscipline was key to their defeat at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

France back-row forward Sebastien Chabal insists Les Bleus have taken no comfort from Ireland’s below-par display in Italy last weekend ahead of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations trip to the Aviva Stadium.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made only one change to his team to face Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday.

France 34 Scotland 21

France coach Marc Lievremont has sprung a major surprise ahead of his side’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland in Paris by picking Damien Traille at full-back and leaving star centre Yannick Jauzion out of his matchday 22.

JONNY WILKINSON lost a battle of the drop kicks as Toulon were beaten in Paris last night but Munster were put on warning ahead of their Heineken Cup showdown in the south of France next Sunday.

France rugby’s version of Manchester City have huge ambitions for the future, have dropped the good-time image and they also play in sky blue. Robert Kitson reports

Saracens 21 Racing Metro 24

Fulgence Ouedraogo earned a reprieve today when he was recalled to the France squad to face Australia by coach Marc Lievremont.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made two changes to his side to face Australia on Saturday, bringing flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo and full-back Jerome Porical into his starting line-up.

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has been dropped from the squad for next weekend’s Test with Australia.

Sebastien Chabal has been recalled to the France XV for Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Montpellier.

Leinster 38 Racing Metro 22

JONATHAN SEXTON faces another 24 hours of uncertainty before being confirmed in Leinster’s starting line-up for the Heineken Cup opener against French league leaders Racing Metro at the RDS tomorrow (1.30pm).

ROB KEARNEY believes Toulon and Racing Metro need to prove their worth at Heineken Cup level before they can be considered challengers.

LEINSTER flanker Shane Jennings expects a testing afternoon from Racing Metro’s pack in Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener at the RDS.

France coach Marc Lievremont has rested a handful of his senior players due to their “weariness” for their tour to South Africa and Argentina.

Wales 20 France 26

RYAN JONES readily admits Wales have been on an emotional rollercoaster during this season’s Six Nations Championship.

France hooker William Servat has warned his team-mates against the danger of underestimating Wales ahead of tomorrow night’s RBS 6 Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium.

France centre Yannick Jauzion has urged his team-mates to maintain their focus ahead of Friday night’s game against Wales as they bid to continue their march to the RBS 6 Nations title.