Jalibert named at fullback despite calf doubt as France reshuffle for Australia test

Matthieu Jalibert has been named at fullback for France’s Nations Championship fixture against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, 11 July, despite carrying a calf injury that leaves his availability in serious doubt. Head coach Fabien Galthié has made seven changes to the starting XV beaten 34-32 by the All Blacks in Christchurch a week earlier.

Jalibert, primarily a fly-half at Bordeaux, has never started at fullback for France and has played the position only four times at club level — the last occasion coming in March 2021. Having missed training this week, his fitness will be assessed at the captain’s run on Friday. “We are not sure, honestly,” Galthié admitted on Thursday. “It is a calf contusion, something that can usually be managed within the week, so we protected him. He will undergo a full test tomorrow during the captain’s run at the stadium. We will make a decision based on how he feels.” Should Jalibert withdraw, La Rochelle’s Antoine Hastoy — trialled at fullback in training this week — is expected to step in.

The reshuffled lineup leans heavily on Top 14 finalists, with Toulouse’s four-time champions and Montpellier players forming a significant portion of the matchday 23. Romain Ntamack takes the No. 10 jersey, while the second row is entirely remodelled: Montpellier’s Florian Verhaeghe returns for his fourth cap, three years after his previous appearance, alongside Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou. Young Montpellier flanker Lenni Nouchi is also included, and Peato Mauvaka starts at hooker.

Two players stand to earn their first caps. Stade Français loosehead prop Moses Alo-Emile was born in Brisbane to Samoan parents and moved to Paris at 18, giving his potential debut a particular resonance on Australian soil. Pau winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, an Olympic sevens gold medallist in Paris in 2024, has been called up after Damian Penaud sustained an injury in New Zealand and returned home on Monday.

The Brisbane fixture is the second round of the Nations Championship, a new North versus South competition that opened with France’s narrow defeat to the All Blacks. Galthié’s selections suggest he is managing player workloads while integrating fresh faces ahead of a demanding international schedule.