TheFrog wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:58 pm
Interesting because many pundits expressed their admiration for Ntamack's management of the game again after the Irish match.
As far as I am concerned however, the current weak link is Jalibert. Thankfully, his kicking off the tee is world class, but so far, I am still not convinced he is at the right level for an international fullback. We were lucky that the ref decided to wrap him in wool and penalised an Irish player for something that wasn't really a fault in my view. It made life easier under the high ball for Jalibert who had been wobbly.
I assume you mean Jaminet and not Jalibert? In which case, yes, he does look vulnerable under a high ball. However, name me one French FB since Sadourny who did not? Only Dulin for a short period a year plus back suddenly looked like he could catch a ball.......... before reverting to type this season. The irony here is that if Jaminet was not in the side, there is NO way Ntamack could be selected because his dead ball kicking simply isn't good enough (France would have lost on Saturday if Ntamack was the kicker). Which is why Ramos does it for Toulouse. And that's another irony, with Jaminet going to ST, Ramos looks like he will be spending much time riding the pine.
FWIW, Jaminet is only 22/23, was playing Pro2 until last season and is in one of the weakest sides in T14. To have got to where he is is miraculous**. He has time to improve. Lots. And anyway, there is no better option.
** I have to concede kudos to the coaching staff for having the nous/guts to select him at all. I certainly did not see that coming even after his stellar performances in Pro2.