France call up Francois Trinh-Duc for Six Nations

France have called experienced fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc into their squad quad for next weekend’s Six Nations opener against England after Remi Tales was forced to withdraw with an arm injury.

The 29-year-old Tales, who has five caps, failed to recover from the bicep injury he suffered playing for Castres against Leinster in the European Cup two weeks ago.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre decided to recall 27-year-old Trinh-Duc, the veteran of 48 internationals, despite the Montpellier captain not having featured for the national side since the win over Scotland in last year’s tournament.

“Francois Trinh-Duc comes back for us. That is the French game –injuries and replacements,” said Saint-Andre, whose side face old enemy England at the Stade de France on Saturday.

“Remi will go and recover and we hope to see him back on the pitch very soon.”

Trinh-Duc will face competition for the starting fly-half spot from a pair of 22-year-olds — Jules Plisson, who has yet to make his international debut, and Jean-Marc Doussain who has five caps.