De Villiers back in French squad

France prop Pieter de Villiers, ruled out of the RBS 6 Nations after testing positive for ecstasy and cocaine, returned to the squad today when coach Bernard Laporte named the South African-born player for the summer tour to the southern hemisphere.

De Villiers, 30, always protested his innocence and suggested his drink had been spiked, but he was left out of the French squad for their 2003 Six Nations championship defence.

De Villiers, who has played for France 29 times, now has the opportunity to re-establish himself in the first choice line-up prior to this October’s World Cup in Australia.