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PARIS - Fabien Pelous will equal Philippe Sella's record of 111 international rugby appearances for France tomorrow but the veteran lock is dreaming of racking up more caps on his way to a World Cup winner's medal.
"It's great. I'm obviously very proud to equal the record but it assumes no more importance than that," said the 33-year-old.
Pelous is in the 12th year of his international career having made his debut in October 1995 in the 52-8 win over Romania; his most recent outing was in the sobering 47-3 defeat to the All Blacks in November before his World Cup build-up was hit by a four-month ankle injury lay-off.
Despite missing the Six Nations, the Toulouse forward's career remains impressive having played in four Grand Slam winning teams (1997, 1998, 2002, 2004), one World Cup final (1999) as well as skippering his country on a record 42 occasions.
"It proves a certain longevity," said Pelous.
"The secret? I've been lucky with injuries. I can thank my parents for making me robust. It's also the result of my way of life."
It hasn't always been trouble-free for Pelous.
He has suffered a succession of knee injuries since 2005 as well as the ankle problem which kept him out from December last year to April.
Had he not suffered those setbacks, he would have cruised past Sella's mark a long time ago.
"I never worried about never playing for France again. I worried about not being able to play the game again. That gave me the most fear."
Now preparing for another World Cup, Pelous believes the six weeks intensive training will stand France in good stead once the 2007 World Cup gets underway on September 7.
"I don't need to reassure myself," said Pelous who needs a strong performance at Twickenham to reassure coach Bernard Laporte that he deserves a starting place in the World Cup.
"I will give my maximum to the team and if everyone does that we will be close to victory."
- AFP
