Veterans ready to play central role

Recalled trio Serge Betsen, Olivier Magne and Raphael Ibanez said they were ready to start France's Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday.

Along with lock Pascal Pape, wing Aurelien Rougerie and centres Damien Traille and David Marty, the three seasoned players were added to a squad extended to 29 following a shock 20-16 defeat in Scotland, which shattered France's grand slam hopes.

"If the only reason for our recall was to raise the spirits of the players who lost at Murrayfield, there are a lot of
players better qualified than me," said Ibanez.

The 32-year-old, who captained France to the 1999 World Cup final, retired from international rugby in 2003 but came back for the November series. Ibanez said coach Bernard Laporte "didn't guarantee anything" when he rang on Sunday.

"People like Magne, Betsen or myself don't need long explanations. The coach calls us, we come and we give everything we have", added the Wasps hooker, who has 74 caps.  "However, we are true competitors and as competitors we don't want to play second fiddle, we want to be part of the story."

Magne, who has 83 caps, said the foot injuries which put his international career on hold for a year and a half were
definitely over.

"I came to Marcoussis happy to have been summoned among the 29 but I also came with the desire of playing on Saturday and I shall be available at 100 per cent as usual," added the 32-year-old flanker.

Magne has appeared three times with London Irish since joining them from Clermont-Auvergne this season.

"I played twice for 40 minutes against Parma and Pau and for 60 minutes in a game against Gloucester. The rhythm of international games is different of course but I think I'm ready," he said.

Betsen has also returned from injury, fully recovered from the cheekbone fracture he suffered in a French championship match with his club Biarritz in October.

"I have absolutely no worries", the 31-year-old flanker said on Tuesday when asked if was ready to play after only two full games with Biarritz.

Wing Aurelien Rougerie, who started the four November tests before being sidelined with a hand injury, said he was available as did Bourgoin lock Pascal Pape, who was becoming a regular before he pinched a backbone nerve at the beginning of the season.

"It was dreadful, I could hardly walk but I don't feel the pain any more and I'm ready to answer the call of the coach if it comes," Pape said.

Among the players added to the squad, the 41-cap centre Damien Traille was the only one to admit he was not fit. Traille has not played a match with Biarritz since fracturing an arm in October.

"It would be better for me to play with Biarritz under-21 team on Sunday to get some match practice," he said.

Coach Bernard Laporte, who has kept players and journalists guessing through the training sessions' is due to announce his starting line up tomorrow.