France recall for Castaignede

France coach Bernard Laporte today recalled Saracens utility back Thomas Castaignede for the RBS 6 Nations match against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

Castaignede was on the replacements’ bench for the defeat at Lansdowne Road, but Laporte, who has hinted some of the team will be playing for their international futures in the final two rounds of the championship, said: “It is logical for him to return to the team as he is on good form and will give the backs some extra punch.”

Laporte has threatened to bring a host of new players into the France squad for summer trips to Argentina and New Zealand.

After naming his team, which also includes a recall for Frederic Michalak, Laporte said: “We could make changes for the trips to Argentina and New Zealand in order to look at new players before picking our squad for the World Cup.”

Sebastien Chabal of Bourgoin, who was originally selected in the France squad, has been forced to withdraw after picking up an ankle injury in his side’s 49-23 victory over Pau at the weekend and has been replaced by Patrick Tabacco of Stade Francais.

Team: C Poitrenaud; A Rougerie, T Castaignede, D Traille, X Garbajosa; F Michalak, D Yachvili; I Harinordoquy, O Magne, S Betsen, O Brouzet, F Pelous, S Marconnet, R Ibanez, J-J Crenca.

Replacements: J-B Rue, O Milloud, D Auradou, P Tabacco, J-B Elissalde, G Merceron, V Clerc.