Forty players are fighting to make it into Bernard Laporte's 30-man squad for the World Cup later this year, and displays in the Six Nations will weigh heavily on the head coach's thinking.

Chabal is one of the players who are far from guaranteed a regular spot in Laporte's squad, and Saturday's tournament opener against Italy represents a perfect chance for him to show his worth.

The 29-year-old knows it is now or never for him, and a number of other players, and the Sale Sharks number eight feels that situation can only be good for the team.

'We know there will be a large turnover during the Six Nations,' he said on Thursday.

'That is going to make us improve our level of play. In the World Cup, there will only be 30 of us. Everybody is conscious of that, and that means there will be healthy competition between us.

'In my position, there are a number of talented players, like Julien Bonnaire, Elvis Vermeulen and Imanel Harinordoquy. And it isn't for me to say I am better than such and such.

'We are going to see how it goes on Saturday.'

Chabal has been in and out of the France set-up over the past five years, and he is yet to show his real potential on the international stage.

His recent form for Sale has afforded him another opportunity but he knows he is sitting in the last-chance saloon.

'This was my last opportunity to be able to get myself back into the France team, and to hope to participate in the World Cup.

'It is another chance for me to seize the day. These are the last cartridges that I am going to be able to use.

'I haven't made a good performance for France. It is my fault but I don't know why.'