The dynamic number eight was the Sharks' stand-out performer in their 27-16 loss at the Parc Des Princes on Sunday.

Chabal's all-encompassing display, in which he dovetailed some destructive tackling with a series of powerful surges into the heart of the Stade defence, will leave watching France head coach Bernard Laporte with some serious thinking to do.

Chabal also scored Sale's only try of the game, although his 60-yard breakaway dash in the dying stages proved in vain.

The former Bourgoin star is currently out of the national-team reckoning, with Les Bleus having a host of back-row forwards at their disposal.

But with the RBS Six Nations Championship just two months away he may well be drafted back into Laporte's squad.

Asked whether his display against Stade will improve his international prospects, he said: I'm happy with my performance.

But it's a team game and I don't really want to talk about myself, just the team.

Sharks' director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre was less guarded on the subject.

I thought Chabal was outstanding, maybe the best player on the pitch, he said.

I'm sure with this game he is back in Bernard Laporte's plans.

That is bad news for Sale because we lose him for the Six Nations, but he had a fantastic game here.

Stade's head coach, Fabien Galthie was also impressed with the hulking forward.

He said: He played like a monster, he was very hard to stop.

He is strong and has good hands. He was superb.