Rugby Digest: In contrast to Eddie O'Sullivan, and despite having 39 players in camp prior to next Tuesday's deadline for finalising World Cup squads, Frank Hadden has opted for close to a full-strength selection for Saturday's seasonal opener in Murrayfield, reports Gerry Thornley.
The Scots' inspirational hard-hitting captain Jason White returns to a familiar and strong-looking backrow alongside Ally Hogg and Simon Taylor, as does another influential long-term absentee, scrumhalf Mike Blair. The nods to experimentation see Chris Paterson reinstated at outhalf, with Rory Lamont chosen at fullback.
The Edinburgh outside back hasn't played outhalf for Scotland since the Test against France in 2004.
SCOTLAND(v Ireland): R Lamont (Sale Sharks); S Lamont (Northampton Saints), R Dewey (Ulster Rugby), A Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), S Webster (Edinburgh Rugby), C Paterson (Gloucester), M Blair (Edinburgh Rugby), A Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), R Ford (Glasgow Warriors), E Murray (Northampton Saints), N Hines (Perpignan), J Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), J White (Sale Sharks, capt), S Taylor (Stade Francais), A Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby). Replacements: F Thomson (Glasgow Warriors), C Smith (Edinburgh Rugby), S MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), K Brown (Glasgow Warriors), C Cusiter (Perpignan), D Parks (Glasgow Warriors), H Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby).
France recall Michalak and Pelous
Outhalf Frederic Michalak and lock Fabien Pelous were recalled yesterday as France named a 22-man squad to face England on Saturday at Twickenham.
Michalak has not played for France since a 21-16 Six Nations defeat of Wales in March 2006 and Pelous has not featured since sustaining a rib injury during a 47-3 rout by New Zealand last November. "It is time to give them a boost," said manager Jo Maso.
If he plays against world champions England, Pelous will equal Philippe Sella's French record of 111 caps. Michalak, if selected, will line up alongside scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.
However, Maso did not rule out fielding the pairing of David Skrela and Pierre Mignoni. "They had a good Six Nations tournament together," he said.
FRANCE SQUAD(v England, Twickenham, Saturday): Backs: Clement Poitrenaud; Aurelien Rougerie, Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, David Skrela, Frederic Michalak, Pierre Mignoni, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde Forwards: Remy Martin, Yannick Nyanga, Serge Betsen, Julien Bonnaire, Sebastien Chabal, Jerome Thion, Fabien Pelous, Dimitri Szarzewski, Raphael Ibanez, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Pieter De Villiers, Olivier Milloud
Jones lands role with Springboks
South Africa have secured the services of former Australia coach Eddie Jones as technical adviser for the World Cup finals, SA Rugby confirmed yesterday.
"We believe his vast knowledge of the game and his outstanding coaching credentials will be of great benefit and significance to the Springboks as they prepare . . . for the Rugby World Cup crown," SA Rugby's manager of national teams Andy Marinos said in a statement.
Jones was publicly criticised in Australia last month after media reports of his imminent appointment but he told a news conference he was comfortable with the decision.
"I don't think I've done anything disloyal," Jones said in Durban where he has been working with the South African squad. "I gave Australian rugby good service, and Australian rugby served me well."
Jones took the Wallabies to the 2003 final. South Africa coach Jake White said he would not ask Jones to expose the Australians' secrets. White said. "I don't want to know about the Wallabies, I want to know about how he can help us improve."
Jones will join Saracens after the World Cup.
Troncon set for fourth World Cup
Italy scrumhalf Alessandro Troncon will take part in his fourth World Cup after coach Pierre Berbizier included him in the Azzurri's 30-man squad for the World Cup. The 33-year-old, Italy's most capped player with 95 appearances, has said he may quit the game after the competition.
Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami will lead a side including Stade Francais flanker Mauro Bergamasco, Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni and Saracens hooker Fabio Ongaro. Gloucester prop Carlos Nieto and Brive outhalf Luciano Orquera were dropped from the preliminary squad. The squad includes Fijian-born backrow Manoa Vosawai, a naturalised Italian who will be eligible to play for Italy five days before the tournament kicks off on September 7th.
ITALIAN SQUAD- Backs: Mirco Bergamasco, David Bortolussi, Gonzalo Canale, Pablo Canavosio, Roland De Marigny, Ezio Galon, Paul Griffen, Andrea Masi, Ramiro Pez, Matteo Pratichetti, Kaine Robertson, Marko Stanojevic, Alessandro Troncon. Forwards: Matias Aguero, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Valerio Bernabo, Marco Bortolami (capt), Martin Castrogiovanni, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Carlo Festuccia, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero, Fabio Ongaro, Sergio Parisse, Salvatore Perugini, Josh Sole, Manoa Vosawai, Alessandro Zanni.
Laporte's claims dismissed
New Zealand rugby officials have angrily dismissed disparaging claims made by French coach Bernard Laporte about their anti-doping policies.
Laporte told a French newspaper he could not be certain New Zealand and England rugby players were drug-free because their anti-doping tests were not as thorough as in France.
Laporte's comments were immediately rebuked by both New Zealand and England officials, who defended their testing programmes.
"We find (Laporte's comments) very disappointing," New Zealand Rugby deputy chief executive Steve Tew said yesterday. "It doesn't reflect a very good understanding of the commitment that New Zealand in general, and rugby in particular, has made to a drug-free environment in this country."
Tew said New Zealand players were subjected to independent and random testing from an appointed government agency. "Players can be visited anywhere and at any time and asked to give a urine sample, and that happens," he said.
New Zealand are favourites to win this year's World Cup.
Ashton surveys his options
Head coach Brian Ashton yesterday announced 11 changes to the England team to face France in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham on Saturday.
Forward Dan Ward-Smith was released from the squad after failing to prove his fitness. Ashton retains only four of the team that thrashed Wales 62-5 last Saturday in his 15 for the first of two meetings with the World Cup hosts France. Former captain Lawrence Dallaglio is recalled at number eight, for his first start since 2004, and outhalf Jonny Wilkinson moves to the bench. The four survivors are Shaun Perry, Andrew Sheridan, Simon Shaw and Mark Regan. Captain Phil Vickery, who limped off with an ankle injury, has been included on the bench and Mike Catt takes over as captain.
Ashton is due to announce his squad for the World Cup before meeting France in Marseille on August 18th.
ENGLAND(v France, Twickenham, Saturday): Nick Abendanon; Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Mike Catt (capt), Josh Lewsey; Olly Barkley, Shaun Perry; Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan, Matt Stevens, Simon Shaw, Ben Kay, James Haskell, Lewis Moody, Lawrence Dallaglio. Replacements: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Martin Corry, Joe Worsley, Andy Gommarsall, Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Cipriani.
