Thomas Ramos would be well on his way to starting the opening match against Japan. Fabien Galthié would even have informed Matthieu Jalibert of his decision, even if the Bordeaux player was excellent with UBB and Ramos prefers the position of 15.
This choice, if it is verified, risks causing discussion and not achieving unanimous approval. There are already voices raised in favor of Matthieu Jalibert for this status of starting opener, like Yann Delaigue. The former French XV player expressed his preference to Rugbyrama. And it is, according to him, very clearly Mattnieu Jalibert who should inherit number 10, his good club performances speaking for him. Choosing Thomas Ramos would be a very negative message sent to Bordeaux.
Matthieu Jalibert is having a good start to the season and I believe he deserves to wear number 10 in the absence of Romain Ntamack. If I rely on what I see every weekend, I honestly don't see why Matthieu Jalibert wouldn't be the starting fly-half for the France team at the moment. There is no better opener than him since the start of the season. And then, Romain Ntamack's injury is also an opportunity to give confidence to players who are good. In the event that Thomas Ramos was chosen instead of Matthieu Jalibert, that would not at all be the message sent (…) To date, I believe that Fabien Galthié relies more on the performances of the players in the team. France rather than on the current form at club.
Dupont opener? “No interest”
Yann Delaigue, however, does not question the qualities of Thomas Ramos as fly-half. “JI have no doubt that it will be very good when it opens“, he assures. There is, however, another hypothesis which makes him doubt much more: putting Antoine Dupont in 10. At least not as a starting opener.
I don't necessarily see any point in it because it has no future. Antoine Dupont can play anywhere but I don't really see the point today and he is excellent as number nine. Honestly, putting Antoine Dupont in ten is sending a strong message to the other openers. It is not impossible, however, that he switches to ten during the match.
To summarize
Thomas Ramos would be well on his way to starting the opening match against Japan. Fabien Galthié would even have informed the players of his decision. This choice, if it is verified, risks causing discussion and not achieving unanimous approval. There are already voices raised in favor of Matthieu Jalibert for this status of titular flyhalf, like a former XV of France.
