The Saracens back was on Thursday called up to the France squad, along with Perpignan prop Nicolas Mas, Biarritz forward Serge Betsen and uncapped flanker Thierry Dusautoir.

Castaignede, who played in the successful Autumn Test matches, injured his thigh on January 21 and missed out on the first two RBS 6 Nations clashes with Scotland and Ireland.

Maso praised the qualities of the versatile three-quarter, who will test his fitness playing in the English Premiership against Northampton on Saturday.

We spoke to him (Castaignede) on the phone and he will play on Saturday against Northampton, said a confident Maso.

He is a precious asset to us as a number 15.

France coach Bernard Laporte will announce his starting line-up against Italy on Wednesday in Marcoussis.

We hope we will be able to work with that full group next week and that the Top 14 and English championship matches at the weekend will not modify our list of players, said Laporte.

But we are well aware that the matches on Saturday and Sunday often force us to change our plans.