Speaking before a training session at Mayesbrook Park, he said: 'We keep surprising people and hopefully we will here.

'Because we have only been playing a few years, being here is already a victory. There is no pressure, we can just go out and enjoy.'

France has only had a Wheelchair Rugby team for five years, which Sallem said was 'an amazing achievement'.

He added: 'We've been successful because all the players get on well together, and we all keep playing because we love to play.

'We travel to tournaments in Europe a lot. It gets expensive, but we need the competition.'

The Wheelchair Rugby tournament starts on September 5 at the Basketball Arena.