Six Nations Roundup

Califano in France squad for England game

PARIS (Reuters) -- France recalled Saracens prop Christian Califano for its Six Nations championship opener against England at Twickenham on February 15 in place of Pieter de Villiers.

De Villiers has been ruled out of the game after testing positive for cocaine and ecstasy.

"Califano would have been with us anyway. He showed through his club performances and his physical tests that he was back at his best," coach Bernard Laporte said when he announced his 22-player squad Thursday.

Califano, 30, won the last of his 65 caps in June 2001 before severing ties with the national team when he left France to play in New Zealand for a year.

Team manager Jo Maso confirmed that de Villiers would not be be considered until his doping case had been solved.

"We have decided to leave him in peace but he stays in our hearts because he has always been a very respectable man and a senior member of our team," he added.

The French federation said on Wednesday that the 30-year-old prop had tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy on December 18.

The South-African player, who is the first French rugby union international to test positve, denied knowingly taking drugs and asked for a second test.

"I have always been true to my sport and my club. I never took drugs or doping products... I'm going to ask for a "B" test," he told a news conference.

Apart from the return of Califano, Laporte made few changes to the squad who clinched a Six Nations grand slam last season.

Clement Poitrenaud edges out Nicolas Brusque who was the number one fullback during last year's tournament.

"It is a matter of injuries," Laporte said. "Clement was injured last season. Nicolas has not played for three weeks and is still recovering from a rib injury. We thought it was right to give Clement a new chance."

Dimitri Yachvili has been selected ahead of Frederic Michalak as potential cover for scrumhalf and captain Fabien Galthie.

The squad will assemble Sunday evening for training at the National Rugby Center of Marcoussis, south of Paris. The team and replacements will be announced Tuesday.

McGeechan calls on promising trio for Six Nations

EDINBURGH (Reuters) -- Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has called three players new to the Six Nations championship for its opening match against Ireland at Murrayfield a week Sunday.

Coach Ian McGeechan has promoted Edinburgh scrumhalf Michael Blair, Borders centre Kevin Utterson and Leeds Tykes prop Gavin Kerr to the senior squad while Andrew Mower gets his chance to fill the void at openside flanker created by the retirement from international rugby of Budge Pountney.

Blair's call-up is not surprising following a successful tour to North America last summer, during which he gained his first cap, and an impressive season with Edinburgh.

Utterson, a robust center, was also widely tipped for selection. The Border threequarter has played consistently well this season for his club.

He attributes much of his progress this season to the coaching at The Borders and to the style of rugby that his new club is playing.

"I've been helped a lot by Tony Gilbert's coaching and by the way we play. We play the type of game we want to play.

"It's not crash ball type rugby but much more a running game. We like to move the ball. I reckon too that my fitness is much better than it was at Edinburgh," said Utterson.

Great opportunity

McGeechan believes that Utterson will bring to his squad qualities he requires. He said: "Kevin always gets across the gain line. He has been playing consistently well for The Borders this season."

Turning to the introduction of prop Kerr, 26, who played his club rugby in Scotland for Jed Forest before pursuing a professional career, McGeechan said: "This is a great opportunity for Gavin. He's worked very hard under Phil Davies at Leeds."

Blair always seemed a likely member of the Scotland squad. He has been the outstanding scrumhalf north of the border this season and has been a contributory factor in Edinburgh's improvement this season.

Capped against Canada and the U.S. during the summer, Blair, 22, a product of Edinburgh Academy, is a running scrumhalf and the kind of player capable of turning a game.

Elsewhere, winger Kenny Logan's experience is being utilized, Glenn Metcalfe is recalled after missing the autumn tests and Newcastle flanker Andrew Mower is given the opportunity to take over from Pountney.

Also back is number 8 Ross Beattie, who won two caps on Scotland's tour of New Zealand in 2000.

Beattie comes in at the expense of Jon Petrie, who like Jason White, was judged not fit enough for the squad. As a selection exercise this is very much about the here and now.

"This is a squad for the Six Nations and not for the World Cup," said McGeechan.

The starting lineup will be named at the end of next week.

Backs: Michael Blair, Andy Craig, Brendan Laney, Kenny Logan, Glenn Metcalfe, Chris Paterson, Bryan Redpath (captain), Gordon Ross, Gregor Townsend, Kevin Utterson.

Forwards: Ross Beattie, Gordon Bulloch, Bruce Douglas, Stuart Grimes, Nathan Hines, Gavin Kerr, Martin Leslie, Andrew Mower, Scott Murray, Steve Scott, Tom Smith, Simon Taylor.

 

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