French rugby icon Sebastien Chabal to see specialist after revealing memory loss

The 47-year-old generated headlines around the world a fortnight ago when he said in an interview on YouTube channel Legend: "I don't remember a single second of a rugby match I played."

The retired French forward, who didn't mention the word 'concussion' during the interview, said at the time he had not consulted a neurologist but that will change this week as he explained on Canal+ on Sunday night that he now has an appointment, most likely with Dr Romain Loursac, the former Lyon fullback.

Asked to reflect on what he had said on YouTube, Chabal outlined: "My words were not a statement but an observation. I have no worries in my everyday life. Thank you to those who have been concerned about my health, but I have not responded to many people during the last two weeks."

Chabal went on to admit that he didn't know if his memory loss was due to rugby or because his career was a very long time ago, but he reiterated the parts that are missing from his recollections.

Set to visit Manchester next month for an anniversary dinner, he said: "We are going to celebrate with my former Sale teammates (2004-2009) the 20th anniversary of the English championship title and it is true that this five-year period where I won titles is almost erased from my memory.

"I have memories of Bourgoin, Racing and Lyon, I have some memories of the French team, but they are anchored in me because people talk to me about it because there are images that pass through my mind. I have no memory of the Marseillaises.

"I realised a long time ago that I had lost my memory of certain things. Part of my family life in Sale is gone. I don't remember my daughter's birth. A memory is accompanied by emotions, sensations, images, voices, words, I hardly have that anymore.

"It's not a blackout but in any case, as far as rugby is concerned, there's not much left, almost nothing. As I have many other activities, you can't remember everything. But maybe it's somewhat correlated. I'm going to get some help."

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