France suffer major blow as one of brightest stars faces another lengthy spell on sidelines

Concerns are ramping over one of France's brightest hopes Matthieu Jalibert, after he picked up another long-term injury.

Jalibert had been feted as the countries long-term solution at fly-half and was named in Jacques Brunel's side for the opening Six Nations match against Ireland in February.

But the 19-year-old's participation lasted less than half an hour when he picked up a knee ligament injury, which ended his season.

And now his return from the game has been halted abruptly by a recurrence of the injury, which he sustained playing a pre-season friendly for Bordeaux Begles against the Sharks in South Africa last Friday.

A statement on the Bordeaux Begles website said "The examinations diagnosed a recurrence of posterior cruciate ligament injury requiring surgical reconstruction. He will be unavailable for a minimum of 6 months."

"We wish Matthieu good luck in this new instance, which he will undoubtedly get through with the competitor's mind we know he has."

It will mean that Jalibert will miss France's November internationals, against face South Africa, Argentina and Fiji and will be in a race to prove his fitness ahead of the 2019 Natwest Six Nations.

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