Pelous back in French plans

FRANCE have recalled skipper Fabien Pelous for their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5.

The Toulouse lock was banned for nine weeks in November for elbowing Australian hooker Brendan Cannon in France’s 26-16 win over the Wallabies in Marseilles earlier in the month.

But there was no doubt that coach Bernard Laporte would bring him back into the frame as the 32-year-old with 102 caps to his name is a central figure in the French build-up to next year’s World Cup on home soil.

On Pelous’ return, Laporte said: “We made him see that we can play without him, but he’s our captain and we’re proud of him.”

Another veteran to get a recall was 33-year-old Stade Français winger Christophe Dominici, who was out for several weeks after injuring his right knee in a club game in October.

The only new face joining a highly-experienced squad is 26-year-old Bourgoin fly-half Benjamin Boyet, but he will be understudy to first choice Frederic Michalak.

“There’s a base of players that satisfied us in November,” said manager Jo Maso of squad members who played in the autumn internationals. “It was logical to keep some continuity.

“Boyet has a good kicking game and he makes his line play. He also benefits from the fact that Yann Delaigue is not physically fit.”

One player to miss out was Saracens fullback Thomas Castaignede, who injured his thigh during a European Cup clash with Biarritz on the weekend. His place is taken by Nicolas Brusque.

Meanwhile, Wales have suffered another major injury scare less than a fortnight before opening the defence of their 6 Nations title against England at Twickenham on February 4.

Key forward Jonathan Thomas, who is set to play a major part in coach Mike Ruddock’s plans, is struggling to be fit for Saturday week’s crunch encounter with a hamstring injury.

He limped out of the Ospreys’ Heineken Cup defeat to Stade Français in Paris on Friday night and is set for a scan to assess the extent of the problem.

“Jonathan has suffered the same hamstring injury that has troubled him previously. It doesn’t allow him to run over 50%,” said Ospreys coach Lyn Jones.

“Is he a doubt for Twickenham? He has come off injured with two weeks to go to the England match. Make your own assumptions.”

It is the latest fitness headache to be put in front of Ruddock, who is already without injured quartet Ryan Jones, Brent Cockbain, Tom Shanklin and Kevin Morgan.

He is also minus Gavin Henson, who is unavailable for the first two matches while he serves out a seven-week ban.

Ruddock also has real concerns over his Grand Slam captain, Gareth Thomas, who played for Toulouse against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday with very heavy strapping on his troublesome right knee.

Thomas remains upbeat about the injury and is planning to play in Toulouse’s French Championship clash against Pau on Saturday.

Ruddock was keen for Thomas to sit out last Saturday’s game and is desperate he does not play this weekend.

French squad

Forwards: Sebastien Bruno (Sale/ENG), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Français), Sylvain Marconnet (Stade Français), Pieter De Villiers (Stade Français), Olivier Milloud (Bourgoin), Jerome Thion (Biarritz), Fabien Pelous (Toulouse, capt), Lionel Nallet (Castres), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Julien Bonnaire (Bourgoin), Remy Martin (Stade Français), Thomas Lievremont (Biarritz)

Backs: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (Toulouse), Dmitri Yachvili (Biarritz), Frederic Michalak (Toulouse), Benjamin Boyet (Bourgoin), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Ludovic Valbon (Brive), Christophe Dominici (Stade Français), Cedric Heymans (Toulouse), Nicolas Brusque (Biarritz).