The China Mail - 'Maestro' Jalibert holds keys to Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup hopes

Since then, he has been restricted to 22 Test starts due to a serious knee injury suffered on his Les Bleus bow and falling behind Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos in Fabien Galthie's pecking order.

For Bordeaux-Begles however, he has played a crucial role in taking them to the top table of club rugby, with the culmination being this Saturday's Champions Cup final against Northampton.

Their run to the decider in Cardiff included a superb semi-final performance from Jalibert as the club founded in 2006 put six-time champions Toulouse, and Ntamack, to the sword.

"He was decisive against Toulouse," Castres head coach Xavier Sadourny told reporters after their loss to Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.

"It's nothing new but you get the impression since the semi-final against Toulouse he's full of confidence.

"He also gives off that confidence to his team-mates.

"He's a great player, who's there at the important moments, it's priceless."

- 'No easy ride' -

Despite Jalibert's impressive club form, his relationship with the national team has been fraught since his debut seven years ago.

The 26-year-old was the first-choice fly-half during the 2023 Rugby World Cup with Ntamack injured but he has often been overlooked for the No 10 jersey by Galthie since then.

Jalibert has come under criticism from supporters for his perceived weak defensive efforts and lack of leadership.

He even left the French camp in November, citing mental health issues.

"No one gives him an easy ride," Sadourny said. "People are hard on him but he's still here."

His only France appearance in this year's Six Nations was a lacklustre performance during the defeat to England.

He has been in red-hot form since that loss, scoring 74 points in nine club games.

As well as the Toulouse win, the highlight was setting up half-back partner Maxime Lucu for a try and crossing for a sublime solo effort from 40m out against Castres last weekend.

His performance led to him being on Monday's cover of specialist rugby newspaper Midi Olympique, who described him as a "maestro".

"It's true that he's worked a lot on the aspects of his game that have been criticised," Bordeaux-Begles full-back Romain Buros said on Tuesday.

"I don't have the statistics in my head but I don't think he's missed many tackles in recent weeks.

"It's good for him and the squad. The fact that he works on things make him confident."

Jalibert's ability to orchestrate Bordeaux-Begles' star-studded backline will have a big impact on the final outcome of this weekend's match.

He is tasked with getting the best out of speedster wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud as well as Buros, who have contributed a huge 45 tries for Bordeaux-Begles this season.

"His performances speak for themselves, seeing he's in a good place mentally and on form," Buros said.

"I hope he'll keep showing the standards he's been hitting this weekend."

Y.Parker--ThChM