By Arnaud Coudry
Published 14 minutes ago, Updated now
Finn Russell, Scotland’s fly-half. CARL RECINE / REUTERS
DECRYPTION – Spectacular duel at the opening between two players renowned for their offensive qualities but also capable of dangerous misses.
They are one of those players who electrify a stadium, make the crowds stand up and the supporters scream. The Scotsman Finn Russell and the Frenchman Matthieu Jalibert are two spectacular, offensive-minded opening halves, capable of turning a match around with a flash of genius. Scrum half Nolann Le Garrec knows them both, he played three seasons with Russell at Racing and now rubs shoulders with Jalibert in the French team. « They have a lot in common, they are two instinctive players », explains the young number 9 replacing the XV of France.
Since the start of his international career, Jalibert has been praised for his qualities with the ball in hand, his explosive side when his competitor Romain Ntamack, currently injured, has a more managerial profile, with more composure.
More solid and involved
With the latter’s injury before the last World Cup in France, the Bordeaux fly-half Bègles inherited the keys to the truck in the French team. Chaining together the selections, while he was…
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