WHEN Thomas Castaignde ends almost two years in the international wilderness by running out for his beloved Les Bleus to face South Africa tomorrow (Saturday) night, there is one man likely to be watching his every move with a slightly nervous disposition.

Back in November 2000, Nigel Wray, Saracens' owner, saw his prized asset carried from the Stade de France arena and hospitalised after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the warm-up prior to the Test with the Wallabies.

After four gruesome operations and a pain-staking rehabilitation, Castaignde, 27, having started just six competitive games for his club, returns to the scene of that fateful afternoon after being named at outside centre by head coach Bernard Laporte to face the Springboks, leaving Wray with mixed emotions.

"I think it really typifies the stupidity of the game," said Wray in one of his well-renowned tirades.

"You should be 100 per cent delighted for the guy going to play for his country after two wretched years as there is no bigger honour, but there is always a bit of me that thinks 'here we go again'. We are paying his wages while he plays for his country instead of us, he might get injured again and that's because the season is so stupidly organised."

Wray is entitled to feel aggrieved. The business tycoon has been embroiled in a bitter row with the French Federation, who have refused to accept financial responsibility for the career-threatening injury Castaignde suffered on international duty, forcing Wray to fund his reputedly highest earner's wages out of his own deep pockets.

"I'm seeing Lapasset (President of the French Federation) on November 27 in Paris to hopefully sort something out but certainly there is nothing agreed yet. We've paid all his wages (believed to be £400,000) for that period and they have paid nothing."

Amazingly Castaignde, who the French medical team insist must have a precautionary scan prior to kick-off, has been forced to arrange his own medical cover during the autumn Tests for his repaired Achilles tendon, with Saracens covering the rest, after the French refused to provide adequate insurance cover for their mercurial star who they clearly view as a high risk.

Wray explained: "The ridiculous thing is the French aren't covering it so we have had to ensure that Thomas is self-insured, which is a pretty pathetic state of affairs that the French Federation, who have such massive revenue produced from games, can't take it upon themselves to insure a player properly."

Wray's grievance with the French authority, however, has not affected his unwavering support of the 1998 European Player of the Year, who he offered a new four-year deal to in the summer after confirming his recovery.

"I just gave him what ever support I could as I think he is an extraordinary player and we all want to see him back at his best because he is exciting," said Wray. "He is a very nice guy as well and I'm sure that he will repay Saracens with some great play."

November 7, 2002 16:30