Prop Califano could get back in pack

There could be two big surprises waiting for the All Blacks in France - centre Damien Traille playing at first five-eighths and an international recall for former Auckland Blues prop Christian Califano.

Califano, the quintessentially tough French prop, has not played for France since March 2003 and is now 34.

But he has found a new lease of life with English club Gloucester this season.

"He can play both sides of the scrum, he is hugely experienced and he could just be the fourth prop we desperately need going through to the World Cup," said French coach Bernard Laporte last week.

Califano's time with the Blues in 2002 was not perfect - he struggled for selection and sometimes seemed off the pace for a prop formerly known for his surprising pace. But there is no doubting his ability as a destructive scrummager.

One of those props enjoying the comparative shortage of tightheads in Northern Hemisphere rugby at present, Califano has benefitted from being part of the set-up at Gloucester. Their front row of Califano, Welsh hooker Mefin Davies and Italian prop Calos Nieto is one of Europe's best.

When he called time on his 68-cap international career after playing against Ireland in 2003, the 1.80m, 110kg prop said it was an "irreversible" decision. It remains to be seen whether Laporte has managed to change that.

Traille's selection might be less of a surprise - many rate him the second-best first five-eighths behind Frederic Michalak and some rate him the best because of Michalak's mercurial tendencies to go missing in some games.

But Traille would rate as one of the biggest international first five-eighths, at 1.94m and 100kg, he has a cultured and powerful boot (although he may not be particularly adept with his weaker foot) and is a strong runner and defender. Traille has scored 12 test tries, as a centre, in his 46 tests for France.