Nanterre (AFP)
Matthieu Jalibert, shimmering on the lawn of Racing 92, allowed Bordeaux-Bègles to narrowly win (33-32) and to chain a fourth match without defeat in a row, Saturday, during the 19th day of the Top 14 .
With 20 points all by himself, including a sublime try (52nd), the international opener, very likely holder with the XV of France during the Six Nations Tournament 2021, waved the Ciel et Blanc, beaten for the second time back-to-back at the Arena, their third home loss of the season.
Worse, the Ile-de-France residents also lost their center Virimi Vakatawa, released after eleven minutes of play, visibly affected in the left knee.
Bad news for Racing 92 but also for the XV of France.
Fabien Galthié's men meet from Monday in Nice to prepare for the first match of the 2021 Tournament, on February 6 in Rome, against Italy.
The coach of the Blues will however have appreciated the XXL performance of Jalibert.
At 22 years and 8 selections, the opener should take advantage of the absence of Toulouse Romain Ntamack, operated on a double fracture of the jaw, to imprint his paw on the XV of France.
After such a match, he in any case scored points, taking advantage of the blunders of Racingmen far too messy.
The two yellow cards of hooker George-Henri Colombe (37th) and third row Fabien Sanconnie (64th) thus offered minutes to Jalibert, also decisive on the test of Cameron Woki (40th).
After Toulouse (30-24) and Toulon (29-23), it is therefore the UBB, now 4th in the standings, which takes its ease at the Arena.
For Racing 92, which had the opportunity to consolidate its 3rd place behind Toulouse and La Rochelle, it is a disappointment.
Another defeat in the money time, with a penalty missed by Kurtley Beale three minutes from the end, which hurts Laurent Travers' men.
© 2021 AFP