Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert partners. The idea fantasized yesterday seems very real today a few days before the match against Argentina (Saturday, November 6, 9 p.m.). The probable association between the two usual openers, one in the center, the other at the opening this time, “we’ve had it in mind for a while”, admitted Tuesday, November 2 Laurent Labit, coach in charge of the attack of the XV of France.
AFP: There is a lot of talk about starting Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert against Argentina.
Laurent Labit: We have had this association in mind for a little while. We wanted to see, we want to see what it can give. Even if (the centers) Virimi (Vakatawa) and Arthur (Vincent) were there, we would have worked the same way over these two weeks. We know that this solution, we can use it to start the match but also during the match, precisely, for also, according to the strategy of the opposition, according to the scenarios, to finish with two openers and to have even more weight on the game. It is an option.
What does it mean to have Ntamack at the center and Jalibert at the opening?
This brings the quality of the two players, in our offensive animation since we always play with two identified playmakers, in priority the 10 and the 15 at home. In the idea that Romain would be 12, we would therefore have the 10, the 12 and even the 15. This makes the task easier for the 10, which is sure to find one of these two players in our game. contribution is obvious. Defensively, the same: Gaël Fickou is in the middle with them, he is our defense chief but Romain, whether he is 10 or 12, is a very good defender. This complementarity allows us to have more base on our defensive trio.
With Dupont, Ntamack, Jalibert and Jaminet, you would also have four players, at least, very good in the kicking game.
This brings solutions, especially in the zone of occupation. We know the problem that the 50/22 rule (the attacking team keeps the throw when it finds a touch in the opposing 22 meters from its half of the field) can pose in the defense, on turnover situations. We can find ourselves in two or three passes with players able to find the spaces by hand or by foot. And that is a great quality. The same with scrum shots, it’s very difficult for a team to cover the first line of defense and the back of the field. Having players of this quality is an added weapon.