Marsh makes return to France fold

Tony Marsh today completed a courageous comeback from cancer when he was named ahead of Damien Traille to play in France’s opening World Cup clash against Fiji.

The New Zealand-born centre had surgery in March after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and looked set to miss the tournament entirely.

But he underwent chemotherapy treatment in April and May and returned to training with his club Montferrand.

After appearing for the French Barbarians last month, Marsh today won a place in Bernard Laporte’s starting line-up for Saturday’s Pool B encounter in Brisbane.

“There was a time when I had serious doubts that I would make the World Cup but the coaches have shown a lot of confidence in me,” he said.

“At the beginning of the week I didn’t think I’d be in the starting line-up. I thought at best I would be a reserve.”

The 31-year-old will win his 12th Test cap, partnering Yannick Jauzion in the centres.

But the pair will be used in a left-right combination, rather than as traditional inside/outside centres.

“The selection revolved around Tony Marsh regaining his fitness. He has been training hard and I’m just delighted he’s fit and ready to go,” said team manager Jo Maso.

“We went with Jauzion and Marsh because while Damien Traille is a better kicker but not as good a passer, Marsh is a better creator.”

Frederic Michalak got the nod at fly-half over the more experienced Gerald Merceron, while in the pack, Jean-Baptiste Poux fills the void left by Peter de Villiers, who was ruled out of the tournament with a dislocated shoulder.

Lock Olivier Brouzet, who has been struggling with a shoulder knock, will start from the bench with Jerome Thion to start in the second row alongside Fabien Pelous.

Imanol Harinordoquy’s presence in the lineout won him selection at number eight over Christian Labit.

France squad to play Fiji on October 11 in Brisbane: N Brusque; A Rougerie, T Marsh, Y Jauzion, C Dominici; F Michalak, F Galthie (captain); J-J Crenca, R Ibanez, J-B Poux, F Pelous, J Thion, S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy.

Replacements: Y Bru, O Milloud, O Brouzet, C Labit, G Merceron, D Traille, P Elhorga.