Fabien Pelous

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Fabien Pelous


caption = Fabien Pelous in Toulouse, 2008
birthname =
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1973|12|7
placeofbirth = Toulouse, France
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|m=1.98
weight = convert|111|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Lock|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears = 1983-1991 1991-1995
ru_amateurclubs = Saverdan SC Graulhet
ru_amclubcaps =
ru_amclubpoints =
ru_amupdate = 2007-09-16
ru_nationalteam = France
ru_nationalyears = 1995-2007
ru_nationalcaps = 118
ru_nationalpoints = (40)
ru_ntupdate = 2007-10-14
ru_clubyears = 1995-1997 1997-present
ru_proclubs = US Dax Stade Toulousain
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate = 2007-09-16
other = yes
occupation = Physiotherapist and pro rugby player
family = Married with one child
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =

Fabien Pelous (born December 7, 1973) is a French rugby union footballer. He plays lock for Stade Toulousain and previously for France, and is the all-time leader in appearances for France.

The son of a family of local farmers, Pelous was born in Toulouse and was introduced to rugby in Saverdun. He made his test debut on October 17 1995 against Romania.

Pelous proved himself an inspirational captain for France since succeeding Fabien Galthié ahead of the 2004 RBS 6 Nations. Enjoyed immediate success after leading "Les Bleus" to the Grand Slam in his first year and followed that up with a second-placed finish in 2005.

Pelous also helped Toulouse win the European Cup in 2005 before missing the summer test matches with a serious knee injury. He returned to action in September and was back to help France to a 26-16 win over Australia in November. However, Pelous was handed a nine-week ban in the aftermath of that victory after being found guilty of elbowing Australia hooker Brendan Cannon.

He was slated to equal Philippe Sella's record of 111 caps for France in the opener of the 2007 Six Nations against nrut|Italy, but was ruled out of the side due to an ankle injury. After he missed their second Six Nations tie against nrut|Ireland, he was ruled out of the entire Six Nations. [cite web|url=http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_20207135300.php |title=France robbed of skipper Pelous |publisher="RugbyRugby.com" |date=2007-02-20] After his injury troubles continued, [cite web|url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3559_2462717,00.html |title=France hand Ibanez the armband |publisher=Planet-Rugby.com |date=2007-07-02 |accessdate=2007-07-04] hooker Raphaël Ibañez, who had filled in for him as captain during the 2007 Six Nations, was named as France captain for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, with Pelous as unofficial vice-captain. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6261954.stm |title=Ibanez to captain France at Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-07-02 |accessdate=2007-07-04] He finally earned his record-equalling 111th cap on 11 August 2007 at Twickenham against nrut|England, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6934847.stm |title=England 15-21 France |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-08-11 |accessdate=2007-08-11] and took the record by himself on 18 August in "Les Bleus"' return match against England at Marseille. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6946124.stm |title=France 22-9 England |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-08-18 |accessdate=2007-08-18]

He ended his international career after the 2007 Rugby World Cup with 118 caps, 42 of them as France captain. The night after the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, he was recognized at the IRB Awards, receiving the International Rugby Press Association Special Merit Award.cite news|url=http://www.irb.com/history/awards/newsid=2020608.html#habana+named+irb+player+year |title=Habana named IRB Player of the Year |author=Rugby News Service |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=2007-10-21 |accessdate=2007-10-21]

In his spare time, Pelous is involved in a winemaking venture that he started in 2002 with France football international Djibril Cissé. [cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/EN/News/Features/070123+SL+pelous.htm |title=Pelous on the verge of greatness |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=2007-01-23 |accessdate=2007-02-25]

Trivia

* His name is the francization of "pelós", which means "hairy" in the Occitan language.
* One of the nicknames he was given by fans was Lurch due to his uncanny resemblance to the character of that name from The Addams Family.

ee also

*List of rugby union Test caps leaders

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/36_4571.php?player=744 ERC player record]
* [http://www.rbs6nations.com/squad_france_174752.htm RBS 6 Nations profile]