 Castaignede is in impressive form for Saracens this season |
France coach Bernard Laporte may end Thomas Castaignede's two-year exile from the national squad by recalling him for November's Test with Australia. Castaignede, who plays at full-back or centre for Saracens but won most of his 43 caps at fly-half, has not played for France since before the 2003 World Cup.
But Laporte told French paper L'Equipe: "Thomas was not at the World Cup because others were better than him.
"His physical tests show that now he is back among the best in the backs."
France's first-choice fly-halfs Frederic Michalak and Yann Delaigue are both battling to return from injuries in time for the 5 November match in Marseille.
Laporte, due to name his 22-man squad next week, is set travel to England on Sunday to watch Castaignede play for Saracens in their Heineken Cup game against French champions Biarritz.
"It would suit us better if he played at fly-half at Saracens but he has played at that position at a high club level and for France before," said Laporte.
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