Lynagh boot clinic for Saracens

Michael Lynagh is rejoining Saracens as a specialist coach in the wake of their goalkicking fiasco during last Friday's European Cup defeat in Cardiff.

The failure of Thomas Castaignede and Duncan MacRae in front of goal has prompted the Watford club's chief executive Francois Pienaar to recall the Wallaby fly half to work on the goalkickers.

'Michael has offered to come and coach some kicking clinics at the club,' said Pienaar. 'Kicking is a very skilled job. It's not just about the way you kick it but the frame of mind you're in when you do it. There is no one better in the business than Michael.' Saracens will be without Castaignede for this weekend's Tetley Bitter Cup clash at Bedford since he hopes to be at full-back for France against Australia in Paris.

Even though an old ankle injury has flared up in training, the French still expect him to be fit.

A second English-based player, Northampton's Olivier Brouzet, forms France's second row with skipper Fabien Pelous and former Bristol hooker Fabrice Landreau wins his first cap.

Landreau is one of six Stade Francais players in the team, among them Christophe Juillet, the No.8 who retired from international rugby after France lost last year's World Cup final. Gloucester will go into Saturday's cup-tie at Bath without five front-line players - Jason Little, Ian Jones, Kingsley Jones, Junior Paramore and Olivier Azam.

They are all being rested and coach Philippe Saint-Andre will be on TV duty in Paris. Scotland have called up three new players - centre Alan Bulloch, winger Jon Steel and flanker Simon Taylor for Saturday's clash with the United States at Murrayfield.