Elissalde won't get Les Bleus

Toulouse scrum-half staying upbeat about his France future

Last updated: 29th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Elissalde won't get Les Bleus

Elissalde: Out of favour

I am going to get back to work with Toulouse while I also know I am still not too far away, since I was in the provisional 30-man squad.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde
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Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is refusing to get downhearted by his omission from France's RBS Six Nations squad.

The Toulouse star has been left out of Marc Lievremont's 23-man squad for the opening two matches of the tournament.

Youngsters Morgan Parra and Sebastien Tillous-Borde have instead been preferred as cover for Lionel Beauxis at number nine.

But, despite the setback, Elissalde is determined to force his way back into the running when he rediscovers top form.

"The end of 2008 has been painful and hard, because of injuries and the lack of competition," he told radio station RMC.

"To demand a place in the France team, you have to be if not at your maximum, then not far from it. I am apparently a bit too far from it.

"At 30, you know how to cope with these moments. It isn't the first time I have had them.

"I am going to get back to work with Toulouse while I also know I am still not too far away, since I was in the provisional 30-man squad."

Return

The recall of Biarritz's Imanol Harinordoquy was another major talking point in the squad.

The battling back-row forward was not included in the 30-man party because of a knee injury but proved his fitness in the Heineken Cup win over Gloucester to get the nod over Julien Bonnaire and Damien Chouly.

"It was a bit of a surprise. I am happy to see the selectors have faith in me and I have to return that on the pitch," Harinordoquy said.

"To be 100 per cent, I still need one or two matches. The match last Friday was played in difficult conditions - we played in the sludge.

"On Saturday, we host Toulouse and that will be another game in my legs."

The opener against Ireland on Saturday week could come too soon for Harinordoquy, though, with the home match against Scotland seven days later a more realistic option.