Rugby Union: N'Tamack back in French team

THE TOULOUSE wing, Emile N'Tamack, absent for almost two years through injury, has been recalled by France for the international against Argen-tina in Nantes on Saturday.

N'Tamack, who last played for France against Ireland in Dublin in January 1997, was included in the team announced by the coach, Jean-Claude Skrela, yesterday.

The wing Thomas Lombard and the prop Sylvain Marconnet, both from French champions Stade Francais, win their first caps against the Pumas, who lost 23-19 to Italy last Saturday and 38-30 to the French Barbarians yesterday.

The French beat Argentina 2-0 in a two-Test series in Buenos Aires in June when the full-back Arthur Gomes, replacing the injured Jean-Luc Sadourny, and the centre Franck Comba both made their debuts.

Marconnet is the only change in the pack from the side that won France's second successive Five Nations Grand Slam in April. He stands in for Christian Califano.

Meanwhile, New Zealand lit up the Bermuda World Rugby Classic with a 30-10 defeat of Canada. The All Blacks will now face Bermuda in the semi- final. Ber-muda beat South Africa 13-5.