Nallet joining Chabal at Lyon

Former France captain Lionel Nallet is to join Sebastien Chabal at recently-relegated Lyon for next season, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old lock played alongside Chabal at Racing Metro this season, but both have been tempted to the big city club who were assured of making the drop from the Top 14 when they lost to Bayonne on Saturday.

“I am very happy and proud to be joining Lyon, a team with great potential, and to be back playing again with my friend and teammate from Racing Metro, Sebastien Chabal,” Nallet said.

Nallet and Chabal previously both played for Bourgoin-Jallieu for five seasons from 1998 to 2003 before they became fixtures in the France national side.

Lyon president Yvan Patet said that Lyon were determined to bounce back out of the second division by adding experience and bulk to their squad.

AFP