Pelous back for France against Australia

MARCOUSSIS, France - Toulouse lock Fabien Pelous has regained his fitness and will lead France in their rugby test against Australia in Marseille on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Pelous missed Les Bleus' tour in South Africa and Australia with a knee injury.

Team mate Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who suffered a slight injury during Toulouse's 15-15 draw against Wasps in the Heineken Cup on Sunday, will also start the Marseille game as a halfback.

"Elissalde is in perfect shape. The doctors told us he was fit to play," France manager Jo Maso said.

Seven Toulouse players have been selected in France's starting line-up for the game against the World Cup finalists.

Saracens fullback Thomas Castaignede, who is back in the squad two years after winning the last of his 43 caps, will start on the bench.

Toulouse centre Florian Fritz is doubtful with a groin injury and if he pulls out, Perpignan's David Marty will be drafted into the squad. That would then give Castaignede a place in the starting 15.

"Even if we have some injured players, we have a nice team," said France coach Bernard Laporte.

Team:
15-Julien Laharrague; 14-Aurelien Rougerie, 13-Florian Fritz, 12-Yannick Jauzion, 11-Cedric Heymans; 10-Frederic Michalak, 9-Jean-Baptiste Elissalde; 8-Thomas Lievremont, , 7-Remy Martin, 6-Yannick Nyanga ; 5-Jerome Thion, 4-Fabien Pelous (cap); 3-Pieter de Villiers, 2-Dimitri Swarzewski, 1-Olivier Milloud.

Reserves:
16-Sebastien Bruno, 17-Sylvain Marconnet, 18-Lionel Nallet, 19-Gregory Lamboley, 20-Sebastien Chabal, 21-Yann Delaigue, 22-Thomas Castaignede.

- REUTERS