“We must leave Matthieu (Jalibert) alone with all this noise around him,” demands Diaby (UBB)

Since he slammed Marcoussis' door a week ago, refusing reservist status against the All Blacks, Matthieu Jalibert has been at the center of all discussions. His supporters cry foul. Others consider it logical that, after this coup, Fabien did not call him back for the test match between the XV of France and Argentina, Friday evening at the Stade de France.

The person concerned was back at UBB training this Monday, and applied for the trip, Saturday evening in Top 14, to the red lantern Vannes.

Matthieu is someone very important to the group, who we all appreciate. We showed him in training that we were happy to see him.

His teammate, Mahamadou Diaby, was the guest of France Bleu Gironde on Monday. And the third row was questioned on this thorny subject. “There you are leading me onto slippery ground (smile). Already, out of respect for Matthieu, and moreover not being there during the discussions that he may have with his coach, I am not going to comment on a possible choice that he would have made. It's difficult for me to say for Matthieu. I think we need to let the situation calm down a little and then, if he wants to speak out on it, he will. But it’s not up to me to judge one choice or another.”

When asked how to help him get through this turbulent period, Mahamadou Diaby was clear. And support. “Already leave him alone with all this noise around him. Matthieu is someone very important to the group, who we all appreciate. We showed him in training that we were happy to see him.” A little balm to the heart for the banished man of Marcoussis