World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Lock
7. Fabien Perous
French lock Fabien Pelous is a genuine great of the professional era. A meticulous technician in the lineout and a hulking presence in the loose, Pelous has cemented a place for himself as one of the game's legends at both club and international level.
His first cap came in 1995 and he went on to add a further 117 before his international retirement in 2007. He eclipsed the French record of 111 caps previously held by Philippe Sella in the World Cup warm up game against England in Marseille in 2007.
Following two seasons with Dax, Pelous took the chance to play for his hometown side, Toulouse in 1997. Over the course of the next ten years Pelous became a talismanic leader for Toulouse, synonymous with their success at both domestic and European level.
Victory in the 1999 Top 14 final with Toulouse was followed by a spot in the French World Cup squad, and eventual disappointment in the 35-12 defeat at the hands of Australia in the final.
Back at domestic level Pelous added a second Top 14 winner's medal in 2001 and was on hand when Toulouse edged out Perpignan 22-17 in the 2003 Heineken Cup final.
Perous guided France to the 2003 World Cup semi-final only to be beaten by England
Ahead of the 2004 Six Nations Pelous was given the captaincy of the French side. In his first Six Nations in charge the French recorded a Grand Slam.
Pelous missed France's summer tests with a serious knee injury, the beginning of a recurring problem that hampered his progress for the remainder of his career. A brief return in Les Bleus' 26-16 autumn victory over Australia was short-lived when Pelous was handed a 14-week ban for elbowing Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon. His disappointment continued,as he was forced out of the 2007 Six Nations through injury, whiles slated to win his record-breaking caps. Pelous' injury problems led to hooker Rapahel Ibanez being given the captaincy for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, held in France. The French team made the semi-finals, with Pelous playing in his third. He was again frustrated to defeat by England, calling time on his international career following the tournament. The day after the 2007 World Cup final, Pelous was honoured with the International Rugby Press Association Special Merit Award.
After 118 tests, with 42 as captain, three Six Nations wins, two Heineken Cups and two Top 14s, Pelous retired following Toulouse's defeat to Munster in the 2008 Heineken Cup final but was tempted back for one last season with the French giants. In April 2009, he announced his plans to retire once again at the end of the season. His career finally came to an end following Toulouse's defeat to Clermont Auvergne in their Top 14 semi-final play-off.
At the top of his craft for 12 years with appearances in 3 World Cup finals tells what a dedicated icon this Frenchman was.