watershed for thomas

THOMAS CASTAIGNEDE is preparing to enter the swimming pool on the long journey back to full fitness after his 14-month injury nightmare. It is a small but significant stage in the Saracens fullback's battle to prove he can be a force again in the game after needing a series of operations to repair the Achilles tendon he ruptured warming up for France's Test with Australia in Paris in November 2000.

Swimming will help Castaignede use his leg muscles without having to deal with the weight of his body on the affected Achilles. Although he is still up to four months away from playing, there are reasons to believe he can return.

Tim Horan, the Saracens backs coach, has been helping him deal with the physical and mental demands of his injury and is uniquely qualified to offer advice.

Horan, a double World Cup winner with Australia, suffered career- threatening ligament and cartilage damage in his left leg in 1994.

"I was lying in a hospital bed in Brisbane on my 24th birthday when the doctor came in and told me it was very unlikely I could ever play rugby again," he said.

"I'm sure negative thoughts have entered Thomas's head during his period out of the game and I have talked to him about handling it.

"I took the attitude that if I wasn't going to play again then at least I had won the World Cup in 1991 and had 30 caps for Australia.

"Being able to walk without any pain was the first boost and then it was a case of just waiting to be fit enough to have a game of tennis with friends and play a bit of touch rugby.

"Eventually, I was able to play in the 1995 World Cup after more than a year out but it was still another six months before I felt right about the leg.

"Thomas has another three or four months of hard work to do and he wants to be able to play a couple of games for Sarries before the end of this season.

"Significantly, Thomas can now walk without any pain and the doctor has given him the all-clear."

Horan has yet to play in the same Saracens team as Castaignede, who has missed 38 club matches since damaging his Achilles.

The Australian centre made his debut for the club on the same weekend that Castaignede was injured and he is determined to line up with the 26-yearold French star in the next campaign.

Horan said: "Playing alongside Thomas is one reason why I am going to make sure I am fit and raring to go for next season.

"It will be great to see him back in action for the club and there is no doubt that Thomas is a special player.

"Thomas just needs more time and has that on his side and although he is very frustrated, he is a good listener and realises that he's on track.

"There is a smile back on his face and there is no need to rush anything."

Castaignede will return to France with Saracens as a spectator on Saturday for the Parker Pen Shield clash with Bordeaux-Begles.

The Vicarage Road side must win that match to ensure a place in the quarterfinals.

SCHOOLS MINISTER Stephen Timms visited the latest inner city Rugby Football Union coaching clinic for children held at Langdon School in East Ham.

The clinic is part of the RFU's Social Inclusion programme aimed at bringing the sport to as many children as possible, with an emphasis on inner cities.

Timms said: "It is an excellent initiative.

Anything which promotes sport to young children has to be welcomed."

Tony Diprose, of Harlequins and England, said: "I hope some of the young people involved go on to play the game for their schools and join their local club."

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