France recall for Castaignede

Thomas Castaignede has been rescued from the international wilderness.

Saracens magician Thomas Castaignede has been rescued from the international wilderness.

The 30-year-old has been called back into the France squad for the first time in over two years, and coach Bernard Laporte admitted that he simply could not overlook the Sarries man.

"I'm particularly happy for Thomas who is back in top form. He has been working hard in training and had the best overall results for a back-line player when he had our physical tests," revealed the French coach.

Castaignede has been in superb form for Saracens, and the versatile back recently revealed his desire to feature in the 2007 World Cup before he retires from the game.

However, Laporte admitted that Castaignede's best chance of cementing a World Cup place would come through playing at stand-off for his club side, a position currently being filled by the talented Glen Jackson.

"Thomas is in the squad as a replacement covering the centre and fullback positions.

"For the time being, Frederic Michalak and Yann Delaigue are ahead of him at flyhalf, Yannick Jauzion and Florian Fritz are without doubt our two best centres and Julien Laharrague is our number one fullback.

"We would like to test him at fly half but he would have to wear the number 10 with Saracens first," confirmed Laporte.

Elsewhere in the 22-man squad, there is a surprise omission for scrum half Dimitri Yachvili, who was a crucial part of Biarritz's championship-winning side of last season.

However, lock Lionel Nallet and number eight Thomas Lievremont are recalled.

France squad in full:

Backs: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Frederic Michalak, Yann Delaigue, Thomas Castaignede, Yannick Jauzion, Florian Fritz Cedric Heymans, Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Laharrague.

Forwards: Pieter de Villiers, Sylvain Marconnet, Olivier Milloud, Sebastien Bruno, Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Pelous (captain), Jerome Thion, Lionel Nallet, Yannick Nyanga, Gregory Lamboley, Olivier Magne, Thomas Lievremont, Remy Martin