Castaignede hope for return

Thomas Castaignede, the subject of a claim for substantial six figure compensation by Saracens against the French Rugby Federation, hopes to be back on the rugby pitch in February.

The French full back was injured warming up for the international with Australia last November and has been out of the game since. He said: "I should be able to play again within six months. I hope to start training as soon as possible."

Saracens are prepared to go court to force the FFR to pay Castaignede's wages for the 15 months he will be out of the game. However, the FFR insist the cover in place only caters for players in French rugby, not those playing in England.

As a result, Saracens will seek cast- iron assurances that cover is in place before they will consider releasing new French signing Abdel Benazzi for Test duty this season.

Saracens owner Nigel Wray said: "It's just as if the FFR have borrowed the club car, crashed it, sent it back and refused to pay for it to be repaired. It's a shame that they have treated such a fantastic player in this way."