France call-up near: Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott’s wait for a taste of international rugby appears to be over as he meets with Philippe Saint-André this week.
The South African-born scrum-half looks certain to be part of the French squad for the November Tests according to the Midi Olympique, with Saint-André preparing to announce an initial squad on September 21 for a training camp.
Kockott became eligible for Les Bleus in July, and having been overlooked by Heyneke Meyer for the Rugby Championship, despite a scrum-half crisis, the Castres star seems to have settled on playing for France.
He will meet Saint-André this week, with the French coach eager to increase the competition on current scrum-halves Maxime Machenaud and Morgan Parra.
Planet Rugby
Kockott is not the only player expected to come into the squad, with in-form François Trinh-Duc almost certain to earn an international recall.
He could be joined by Toulon second row Romain Taofifenua, who has lost some weight since joining the European champions and has been outstanding to start the season.
Another former Perpignan player, Sofiane Guitoune, also seems to be back in favour now that he has recovered from an Achilles injury that had kept him out for six months at the end of last season.
France play three Tests in November, starting against Fiji in Marseille before taking on Australia and Argentina.
Meanwhile Racing Métro could be without their two star fly-halves when they take on Lyon this weekend in the latest round of the Top 14.
With Jonathan Sexton already sidelined the Parisian club were expected to rely on Johan Goosen in the coming weeks.
But Goosen is now a doubt for this weekend according to Rugbyrama, after suffering a concussion in the 32-6 loss to Clermont last weekend.
Goosen must now see a neurologist who will decide whether he can be passed fit to face the newly promoted club.
Benjamin Dambielle is Racing’s other remaining option in the number ten jersey.