Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert have formed a formidable partnership that is driving France's impressive start to the Six Nations. The duo, now dubbed 'Jalipont', have been instrumental in Les Bleus' attacking brilliance, most notably in their 54-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff. Their combined creativity has produced some of the tournament's most spectacular tries.
Despite initial doubts about how the pair would work together given their different club backgrounds at Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles, they have meshed seamlessly. In the win against Wales, Dupont and Jalibert were involved in six of France's eight tries, showcasing their understanding and unselfish play. Jalibert scored one try himself and provided several assists, while Dupont's clever reverse flick set up the opening score.
France's assistant coach, Shaun Edwards, praised the team's entertainment value, saying spectators would get their money's worth. The team's attacking prowess is complemented by strong lineout ability, Thomas Ramos's goal-kicking, and the pace of Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing. France's form has been so dominant that even strong sides like Ireland and Wales have struggled to contain them.
The half-back combination is a rarity in international rugby, with few previous 9-10 pairings reaching such heights. Comparisons have been made to legendary duos like Gareth Edwards with Barry John for Wales, and Aaron Smith with Dan Carter for New Zealand. At 27, Jalibert is finally getting an extended run in the starting lineup, and together with Dupont, France looks poised for further success as the tournament progresses.
