After back-to-back wins over defending champions England, France rounded off their tournament preparations with a convincing 34-7 victory over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.

And Chabal is convinced everything is now in place for France to emulate their footballing cousins who, inspired by Zidane, beat Brazil 3-0 to win the World Cup in Paris.

I am not a soccer fan but I watched the World Cup in 1998, said Chabal, the Sale Sharks number eight.

It was the biggest event in France and when the French won it was fabulous. There were 10 million people out in Paris and on the Champs Elysee.

I think if we could do the same as the soccer team then that support would be behind us too.

We really think about winning the World Cup. We have everything we need to be champions. We are fit, we are feeling good on the pitch and we have 30 Zidanes in the French team!

Now we have to play the games to find the real truth but we are in the right position to start the World Cup.

We won our three friendly matches and everyone will be ready for the start of the competition. It is good for our heads and for our confidence.

France are in the so-called Group of Death and open the campaign with a tough fixture against Argentina and they must also overcome Ireland to finish top of the pool.

The group runners-up are likely to face tournament favourites New Zealand in the quarter-finals.
Chabal added: Ireland start against Namibia and Georgia so they do not need to be ready for another month - but we need to be ready on September 7. 

Chabal is a beast of a number eight for Sale but competition in the French back row is fierce and Seabass has long been earmarked as a second row option by head coach Bernard Laporte.

Bernard spoke about moving me to second row a few years ago but never did it. Just before naming the squad for the World Cup he called me and said: I really want to pick you but to play second row.

I said: That is a really good challenge for me and I accept it.