“He will continue, if he wishes”: what is happening between the XV of France and Matthieu Jalibert?

Regardless of the result of the France-New Zealand clash, this Saturday at 9:00 p.m. at the Stade de France (and to be followed on TF1, TF1 + and live with commentary on TF1info), the big loser of this autumn tour seems indeed well be called Matthieu Jalibert. The leader of the UBB, on the bench against Japan, was ousted from the final composition for the match against the Blacks, preferred at the opening to Toulouse's Thomas Ramos. A disappointment for the Bordeaux player, who preferred to leave the group this Wednesday, November 13.

The psychodrama of autumn

According to The Parisian et Le Figaro the player would thus have refused to join the list of five reserves, who will spend the match against the New Zealanders in the stands. In a story on Instagram on Wednesday evening, the fly-half made his departure from the National Rugby Center official by posting a photo of his dog, with the caption: “Dad is back.”

The departure did not please the French coach, who, in reaction, was not kind. “Emulation in this team is important. The project is collective. To build a team, what is important for us is the determination of the moment, the individual strength which will serve the collective”justified Fabien Galthié, at a press conference, when he was questioned about the absence of No. 10. “We need strong players, determination”he insisted.

Jalibert in blue, a complicated story

This final twist punctuates a complicated story between the XV tricolor and the leader of the Bordeaux-Bègle Union. Called up to the French team from the start of the Galthié era, Matthieu Jalibert suffered comparisons in his position with Romain Ntamack, generally preferred. The Toulouse player's injury before the 2023 Rugby World Cup allowed the UBB player to enter the competition as a starter. Unconvincing during the group matches, he made up for it in the quarter-final against South Africa, which was not enough to prevent the defeat (28-29).

His poor performance during the rout against Ireland (17-38), first match of the 2024 Six Nations Tournament, then during the draw against Italy (13-13), during which he was injured, seem to have finished downgrade him to his post. While Romain Ntamack was once again announced to be out of the fall tour while the Bordeaux player outperformed in the Top 14, Fabien Galthié preferred to leave Matthieu Jalibert on the bench for the first match of the series. Against New Zealand, the 25-year-old with 33 caps will not even be at the stadium.

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To the point of questioning Jalibert's future in the French team? In any case, Fabien Galthié did not fail to issue a warning in a speech which seemed to be addressed to the player. “He brought his talent to the French team and he has always tried to give the best of himself and he will continue, if he wishes of course. Everyone has the choice to make a decision. We need it today “to identify determined players who have the ability to get through good times and tough times”the coach said this Thursday.