The game with Scotland in Frances RBS 6 Nations opener will see Delaigue pull on the blue shirt for the first time since featuring against Ireland in the now-defunct Five Nations back in 1995.

Coach Bernard Laporte has given the 31-year-old a vote of confidence by including him ahead of prodigy Frederic Michalak.

Delaigue has excelled for Castres this season but since that appearance against Ireland, he has been on the outside of the international set-up looking in.

Now he can see a future, even if it is in the very short term.

He said: My priority is to perform well against Scotland and then we will see against England.

The last time I played for France was 10 years ago. I was also called up last year against Argentina but I did not play.

So Im absolutely delighted for me to be back with France.

Delaigue also admits playing at the 2007 World Cup, which is being held in France, is a dream he would like to see fulfilled, and insists his age will not be a problem.

The World Cup remains a dream for me and I feel this is too early to talk about it.

My age will not be an obstacle to play at such a competition; I was at the 1995 World Cup.

You always have to prove what you are capable of in rugby and the first thing is to prove to Bernard Laporte that he was right to chose me.

Delaigue will be paired with scrum-half Pierre Mignoni in a totally new half-back line-up when France kick off their title defence.

The duo know each other as they played together for a time at Toulon in the mid-90s.

But team manager Jo Maso is confident both men will gel in good time for the Six Nations opener.

He said: It was obvious that we should call up Mignoni because he is in top form with his club Clermont Auvergne.

Delaigue meanwhile is an interesting player and has more experience than Michalak.

He is the definite boss at Castres and I am sure that he and Mignoni will train a lot to
regain their understanding.