the Jalibert association in 10 and Ntamack in 12 is “a closed case”, sweeps Labit

Asked in the columns of The Team, Laurent Labit spoke of the association of Matthieu Jalibert in the opening half with Romain Ntamack in the first center, who had been tested in the fall of 2021 against Argentina and Georgia. A tactical option which is now buried, explains Fabien Galthié’s assistant. “The association Jalibert in ten and Ntamack in twelve is a closed case. We tried because we wanted to see but it was inconclusive. Today, at international level, the midfield is too important. The physical density and the impact that one must have in the middle of the field are mandatory“, he explains.

And to add:And then the permutations between Romain and Gaël (Fickou), it was complicated. We have chosen to entrust the conduct of the game to the 9, 10 and 15 rather than entrusting it to a second number 10 in the position of 12.“The former co-coach of Racing 92 also returned to the role of the UBB opener in the France team. “In November, each time he entered, he was decisive, and without wanting to show that he could start. This was the November solution. Will it also be that of the Tournament and the World Cup? The upcoming matches will tell us. Of course Matthieu wants to start. It’s like Gabin (Villière, the long-time injured RCT winger) who must be chomping at the bit in his corner.»