Trinh-Duc's World Cup dream alive

Appearing in this year's World Cup remains the goal of Montpellier flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc, who makes his return to the paddock against Toulouse in Top 14 action this weekend five months after fracturing a leg.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre will doubtless cast an interested eye on Trinh-Duc's outing from Rome where his faltering French side take on Italy in the Six Nations.

While Trinh-Duc, capped 49 times, never completely cemented the France No.10 shirt, neither have play-making rivals Remi Tales, Camille Lopez or Jules Plisson.

And with the World Cup looming in England from September 18 to October 31, the 28-year-old Trinh-Duc's form could be key for the France squad.

"I'm very happy to back in the squad and team," the flyhalf said of Saturday's match, with Toulouse also fighting like Montpellier for a spot in the top six that go on to the final play-offs.

"It's been a long, tough time for me with periods of uncertainty, but it's behind me now," he said of his injury lay-off after his October 11 tibia fracture.

"I want to look ahead and to think about rugby."

Trinh-Duc said he felt great about getting back to the day job.

"I feel as excited now [to play Toulouse] as starting a season or when you're a a youth player debuting for the first team.

"I have only one desire and that's to be out there."

Trinh-Duc was confident that the run-in to the Top 14 season's end, with six more regulation games after this weekend, would allow him to improve.

"The string of matches will allow me to re-find the level I had before this injury. There's no apprehension about the injury, more about my level," he said.

"But that's normal when you haven't played for five months.

"Even if I've been training well, there's a difference between a training level and a match, especially at Toulouse."

The World Cup, however, was Trinh-Duc's target.

"Of course, that remains my goal, as it was at the start of the season," he said.

"In the off-season, I worked hard to reach this goal. Despite some difficulties, I managed to go to the training camp which preceded the November Tests.

"I was injured at a bad moment. There's only a few months remaining for me to re-find my level, to use my freshness to come back as quickly as possible."

Agence France-Presse