Everyone graced the evening with an appearance. The gangs of Paris congregated and openly flouted the ‘no glass’ policy in grand fashion, free-style rapping pre-match, gesticulating with drained bottles of rum. Kids with turbans of dreadlocks and Hare Krishna tufts of dreadlocks sat on picnic rugs and drank cans of beer. Old men had French flags painted on their faces and young girls brought baguettes along as costume props.

Guillaume and I had also decided to watch the France vs. New Zealand rugby match at Hôtel de Ville.

Every tournament has its idol. If I can recall correctly, everyone’s heads were turned by France’s Frédéric Michalak and England’s Jonny Wilkinson at the last tournament in Australia – and I’m not just talking about their ability to kick a rugby ball! Now, four years later, boyish good looks and the allure of a pre-kick bum wiggle have somewhat stagnated in their attempt to catch the attention of the public. Tastes have somewhat matured, and now prefer brute strength and facial hair… Enter Sébastien “what if the Second Coming adopted the form of a rugby player?” Chabal. Crowd-pleasing beyond belief, Chabal drove the French crowd into a frenzy whenever he did anything, and I mean anything. He got a greater reception from the droves assembled at Hôtel de Ville than “La Marseillaise”, and I’m sure even the New Zealanders were quaking in their boots as he stared them during the haka. I can’t even begin to describe the euphoric outpouring when he took the field in the 52nd minute.

Exacerbating the frenzied worship by the cult of Chabal, there is also a meat product company in France by the name of “Charal”, that has a series of inane, though amusing, advertisements which culminate in “mmm… Charal.” The obvious appropriation (“mmm… Chabal”) has become the unofficial catch-cry of the French XV supporters. This makes me laugh at the moment, but by the time the tournament ends I think I’ll be ready to – Chabal style – crash tackle and break the jaw of anyone who dares utter this phrase. Just a friendly warning!

By way of explanation, a Charal advertisement (they ask: who is the greatest carnivore?)

And all you could ever have wanted to see of Sébastien Chabal’s claims to fame. Warning - not only is it over 4mins of rugby footage, I should include a little bit of a language warning for their choice of soundtrack. Enjoy!