Wednesday Round-Up

Andreu in: French head coach Philippe Saint-Andre has handed an international recall to winger Marc Andreu, ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Andreu, who hasn’t featured for Lex Bleus since taking the field against New Zealand in New Plymouth way back in 2013, will replace the injured Sofiane Guitoune in the squad. Due to link up with the rest of the squad on Wednesday and with seven caps already to his name, Andreu may well be named on the replacements bench, with Saint-Andre struggling for back line cover. Having himself come in for the injured Teddy  Thomas, Racing Metro\s Guitoune will also sit out the remainder of the tournament. With both wingers out of action, it is expected that Clermont’s Fijian born flyer Noa Nakaitici will be named on the wing for Saturday’s joinery to Rome, opposite Yoann Huget on the right wing. France travel to the Italian capital with nothing to play for, having been beaten by both Wales and Ireland already.

Kaino blow: Auckland Blues fans will today learn of injury to club captain Jerome Kaino, with the powerful member of the Blues’ back row being forced to sit out this weekend’s clash with the Hurricanes in Palmerston North. Having picked up a knock to the head during last weekend’s clash with South African outfit, the Lions, Kaino has failed the return to play protocol for concussion injuries, and will now sit out this weekend’s away game. In his absence, Steven Luatua shifts to 8, Like Braid takes over the captaincy in the seven jersey and Brendon O’Connor wears the number six jersey. Elsewhere, record-setting hooker Keven Mealamu will feature off the bench, after James Parsons was named in the no.2 jersey. There are concerns surrounding the fitness of scrum half Jimmy Cowan who has been struggling with a knee injury, with Jamison Gibson-Park earmarked as a starter, should Cowan fail any late fitness tests.

Ryan Sheady