Top 14 - Alert in Bordeaux: Matthieu Jalibert, the UBB fly-half, injured his calf before the final sprint

A major blow for Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB). Matthieu Jalibert, the Bordeaux playmaker, could miss the end-of-season fixtures due to a calf injury. 

The French international, who hasn't played since the victorious final against Leinster, is already ruled out of the match against Clermont on Saturday evening during the Top 14's 26th and final round of fixtures.

Our colleagues report that the fly-half was injured before the Round 25 match against Toulon (a 27-22 defeat ), in which he did not play. His presence against Toulon was not planned, but as the 24th player on the roster, the number 10 reportedly took part in a "compensation" session organized before kickoff for players not in the squad by the Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) strength and conditioning staff. The problem? Matthieu Jalibert should not have participated in these exercises since he was supposed to be resting during this trip to Toulon.

While a potential absence of Matthieu Jalibert against Clermont might be a precautionary measure given the intense and unpredictable end to the season, it's impossible not to think back to 2024, when the fly-half was injured at the worst possible time. At the time, the Bordeaux number 10 suffered a torn thigh muscle against Oyonnax in Round 26 and was ruled out for the rest of the season. He missed the play-off against Racing 92 and then the semi-final against Stade Français, but ultimately returned for the Top 14 final against Toulouse, which Bordeaux lost heavily (59-3). However, the French international was far from being at 100% fitness.