Chabal is named to face the Irish

PARIS, France -- The imposing figure of Sebastien Chabal will be in France's starting line-up for their all-important World Cup clash with Ireland at the Stade de France on Friday.

Coach Bernard Laporte has plumped for Chabal ahead of Lionel Nallet, in the absence of injured Fabien Pellous in the second row.

"Sebastien is full of confidence," said Laporte. "He brings a lot of things to the team."

Team captain Raphael Ibanez will be fit to play after recovering from a blow to his throat during the win over Namibia in Toulouse.

Jerome Thion and Serge Betsen have also been passed fit but Yannick Jauzion and Aurelien Rougerie will be replacements.

France and Ireland have made unimpressive starts to the competition, with the French losing their opening game against Argentina and the Irish laboring to overcome Georgia.

France went some way to restoring battered morale by recording their World Cup record victory, 87-10, against Namibia.

France: Clement Poitrenaud; Vincent Clerc, David Marty, Damien Traille, Cedric Heymans; Frederic Michalak, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde; Thierry Dusautoir, Julien Bonnaire, Serge Betsen; Jerome Thion, Sebastien Chabal; Pieter de Villiers, Raphael Ibanez (capt), Olivier Milloud

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Lionel Nallet, Yannick Nyanga, Lionel Beauxis, Yannick Jauzion, Aurelien Rougerie

Only four South Africans who started in the 36-0 drubbing of England last Friday, will face Tonga in Lens on Saturday.

Experienced flanker Bobby Skinstad will captain the team in the absence of John Smit on the bench.

South Africa: Ruan Pienaar; Ashwin Willemse, Wynand Olivier, Wayne Julies, JP Pietersen; Andre Pretorius, Enrico Januarie; Danie Rossouw, Wickus van Heerden, Bobby Skinstad (capt); Albert van den Berg, Bakkies Botha; CJ van der Linde, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp.

Replacements: John Smit, Brendon Botha, Victor Matfield, Juan Smith, Bryan Habana, Francois Steyn, Percy Montgomery E-mail to a friend