FRANCE COACH Philippe Saint-Andre has not made any changes to his matchday squad for the Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 26th.
Saint-Andre has named the same 23 players he had assembled ahead of Saturday’s ill-fated clash with Ireland, which was called off just minutes before kick-off due to freezing conditions at Stade de France.
Biarritz scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili is omitted as he continues to battle back pain, meaning Stade Francais’ Julien Dupuy remains in the squad as cover.
“We preferred to keep Julien Dupuy as Dimitri Yachvili still has his back problems,” said Saint-Andre. “This is more consistent.
“Everyone did the preparation together. It was difficult to remove someone from the group.”
The squad will reassemble at their training base in Marcoussis on Sunday afternoon. Saint-Andre will name his starting XV for the Scotland match on the Tuesday.
New Munster signing Casey Laulala said he didn’t have to think twice when he heard Tony McGahan was interested in bringing him to Ireland.
The 29-year old outside centre will move to Munster during the summer after three seasons with Cardiff Blues.
The former All Black, who was born in Samoa and was linked with a move to Japan, said he didn’t hesitate when the offer came in from Munster.
“It was no brainer, they are one of the super-powers of European rugby. But it is a new challenge for me too, I think. I have had two-and-a-half great years in Cardiff and but when Munster came in it was hard to turn down, so I am looking forward to it now,” said Laulala, who came off injured against Connacht on Friday night after taking a knock.
He said that he spoke to a number of Munster players who he has got to know over the years and they have prepared him for what to expect, especially the different training centres in Cork and Limerick.
“I spoke with Peter Borlase and a little bit with Lifeimi Mafi, as I played with Canterbury with them, and they told me what I should do and how it works.”
New Zealand’s World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw has started running again following foot surgery but does not expect to be available for the Canterbury Crusaders’ Super Rugby campaign until at least April.
McCaw battled through immense pain in his right foot during the World Cup as a screw inserted to fix a fracture before last year’s Super Rugby competition only served to aggravate him.
The 31-year-old openside flanker had surgery after the World Cup to remove the screw and said yesterday he doubted he would play again before April.
“The foot is really good. I’ve just started back running,” the All Blacks captain told reporters at the New Zealand launch of the Super Rugby competition.
FRANCE(squad v Scotland): Forwards: D Attoub, V Debaty, N Mas, J-B Poux, W Servat, D Szarzewski, P Pape, Y Maestri, L Nallet, J Bonnaire, T Dusautoir (capt), L Picamoles, I Harinordoquy.
Backs: M Parra, J Dupuy, F Trinh-Duc, L Beauxis, A Rougerie, M Mermoz, W Fofana, V Clerc, J Malzieu, M Medard.
RUGBY FIXTURES
FRIDAY
RaboDirect Pro12: Cardiff Blues v Ulster, Arms Park, 7.05; Ospreys v Aironi, Liberty Stadium, 7.30; Leinster v Scarlets, RDS (7.35).
Ulster Bank League – Division 1B: UL Bohemian v Bruff, Thomond Park, 7.30.
SATURDAY
RaboDirect Pro12: Benetton Treviso v Munster, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 3.15; Connacht v Glasgow Warriors, Sportsground, 5.30; Newport Gwent Dragons v Edinburgh, Rodney Parade, 6.30.
Ulster Bank League (2.30) – Division 1A: Blackrock College v Lansdowne, Stradbrook; Clontarf v Cork Constitution, Castle Avenue; Dolphin v Old Belvedere, Musgrave Park; St Mary’s College v Shannon, Templeville Road; Young Munster v Garryowen, Clifford Park.
Division 1B: Ballynahinch v Buccaneers, Ballymacarn Park; Belfast Harlequins v UCC, Deramore Park; Dungannon v Galwegians, Stevenson Park; UCD v Ballymena, Belfield.
Division 2A: Bective Rangers v Terenure College, Donnybrook; Clonakilty v Old Crescent, The Vale; DLSP v Seapoint, Kirwan Park; Greystones v Corinthians, Dr Hickey Park; Instonians v Midleton, Shaws Bridge; Malone v Old Wesley, Gibson Park; QUB v Dublin University, Dub Lane; Thomond v City of Derry, Fitzgerald Park.
Division 2B: Armagh v Ards, Palace Grounds; Banbridge v Sligo, Rifle Park; Boyne v Sunday’s Well, Drogheda; Cashel v Connemara, Spafield; Highfield v Rainey OB, Woodleigh Park; Naas v Wanderers, Forenaughts; Navan v NUIM Barnhall, Balreask Old; Nenagh Ormond v Suttonians, Ormond Park.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)