Matthieu Jalibert absent from the list of 42 players to prepare for the match against Argentina

The Bordeaux-Bègles flyhalf preferred to leave the Marcoussis gathering after learning that he would be in the stands during the match between the France team and New Zealand on Saturday.

The divorce seems complete. Absent from the match sheet against New Zealand, Matthieu Jalibert had decided to leave for Bordeaux even before the Blues' team composition was made official to challenge the All Blacks. Four days after this start of controversy, he is absent from the list of 42 players called up, Sunday November 17, to prepare for the last meeting of the Autumn Nations Cup, against Argentina, Friday at the Stade de France. A decision which looks like a sanction for the fly-half who will therefore spend the week in Gironde with his club.

“Everyone is free to experience their emotions, to share them. We need determination. We need strong players. Until now, even if his journey has not been linear with the XV of France, he brought his talent, he has always tried to bring the best of himself, and he will continue, if he wishes… Everyone is free to make their decisions.”

Fabien Galthié, coach of the French XV

in press conference during the announcement of the team composition against New Zealand

Against the All Blacks, Fabien Galthié only took two and three-quarter time on the sidelines. It was therefore Antoine Dupont who finished the match in position 10, after the entry into play of Nolann Le Garrec in the scrum and the replacement of Thomas Ramos at the back in place of Romain Buros. In addition to Thomas Ramos, now the indisputable starter at the opening (in the absence of the injured Romain Ntamack), Léo Berdeu and Louis Le Brun, who can also play in the center, are on the list to cover the position of 10.

Among other lessons, Damian Penaud is still absent and will therefore not have played a minute during this tour. Coming out with an injury after only a few minutes of play against New Zealand, Tevita Tatafu is also out. Like Giorgi Beria or Cheikh Tibergien, newly summoned, 11 of the 42 called up have never been capped with the Blues.