More than information, it is confirmation. The name of Matthieu Jalibert does not appear in the list of 23 players that the FFR-LNR convention authorizes Fabien Galthié to keep this weekend in Marcoussis. But unlike what happened last November, when the Bordeaux opener asked the coach to return home before the clash against the All Blacks rather than stay among the additional players, it is only a question here of the photograph of the current hierarchy among the Blues: in the eyes of the staff, Matthieu Jalibert is the fourth choice for the position behind Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos and Antoine Dupont.
“Matthieu Jalibert is capable of joining the group at any time”
This decision will not be controversial. But it does not exempt the management of the Blues from the debate. Laurent Sempéré, forced to repeat that “Matthieu Jalibert is a full-fledged player in the 42”, that he “is capable of joining the group at any time”, was able to see this.
On the bench against Lyon?
The Bordeaux opener knew full well even before the start of this gathering that he was going to return to Bordeaux in the middle of the week. He will not be the only Bordeaux resident in this situation. On the train, he was accompanied by hooker Maxime Lamothe, scrum half Maxime Lucu, to whom Nolann Le Garrec is preferred to play understudies for Antoine Dupont, third row Marko Gazzotti and center Nicolas Depoortere.
-Five players who are therefore placed at the disposal of Yannick Bru, the UBB manager, to prepare the reception of Lyon on Saturday at Chaban-Delmas. Will they be starters after these few days spent under the colors of the XV of France? It's unlikely. However, the staff would consider asking them all to make up the substitutes' bench. An important reinforcement for Bordeaux who currently occupy first place in the Top 14.
The 20 players released: Beria (Perpignan), Priso (Toulon), Slimani (Leinster), Aldegheri (Toulouse), Lamothe (UBB), Flament (Toulouse), Halagahu (Toulon), R. Taofifenua (Racing 92), Gazzotti (UBB), Abadie ( Toulon), Tixeront (Clermont), Lucu (UBB), Jalibert (UBB), Depoortere (UBB), Frisch (Toulon), Nene (Dax), Attissogbe (Pau), Dréan (Toulon), Villière (Toulon), Barré (Stade Français)
