PARIS (AP) — Incoming flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert has been forgiven by France while out-going flyhalf Romain Ntamack has apologized for his red-card tackle.
Jalibert will start for France against England at Twickenham on Saturday in the Six Nations, in his first test appearance since he grabbed headlines and disappointed coach Fabien Galthié when he left the squad in mid-November because he wasn't picked for the match against New Zealand.
He replaced the suspended Ntamack on Thursday and wins his 35th test cap alongside star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont.
Ntamack was red-carded in the 43-0 win against Wales last Friday after he shoulder-charged the head of opposite Ben Thomas. A three-game suspension on Wednesday prevents Ntamack from facing only England in the Six Nations.
“After Romain Ntamatck’s red card, we immediately started working with the staff and that evening Matthieu Jalibert was in the number one position,” Galthié said. “Matthieu has more than 30 caps and significant experience in the French team.”
Ntamack was remorseful in a social media post.
“I would like to apologize to everyone for this gesture, which while unintentional was dangerous,” Ntamack wrote on Instagram. “I am committed to setting a good example and will learn from it.”
When Jalibert missed out in France's 6-2 bench against New Zealand, he refused to stay with the team and wanted to return to his club. Galthié told RMC last month that he let Jalibert leave but they talked through the issue and the coach reassured his 2023 World Cup flyhalf that he was an important member of the squad.
“Did he express his opinion? Yes, but it is not a problem,” Galthié told RMC. “I prefer players who talk, rather than those who spend their time looking at you in a strange way without saying anything.”
Galthié expanded on that Thursday, explaining how he was keen to avoid an environment of conflict in the squad.
“You should not create a power struggle and lose a player with such potential. The power struggle should only be with our opponents,” Galthié said. “Matthieu’s example is an example of life, of a high-level player who goes through great moments and other difficult ones, psychological and physical.”
The only other change by France was the return also of star winger Damian Penaud after shaking off a toe injury. He takes the place of Théo Attissogbe and will look to add to his tally of 36 international tries. He is two tries behind record-holder Serge Blanco.
It will be Penaud's first appearance for Les Tricolores since the 33-31 win against England in the Six Nations last year. He missed the autumn series due to a lung infection.
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FILE - France's Matthieu Jalibert, right, gets past South Africa's Handre Pollard during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, Oct. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins was carried off the floor with a right knee injury in the first quarter of top-seeded Southern California’s game against Mississippi State in the women's NCAA Tournament on Monday night.
Watkins, one of the biggest stars in the women's game, was streaking to the basket between two defenders when her knee bent awkwardly as she planted her right leg, causing her to crumple to the floor with 4:43 remaining. She grabbed her knee and writhed in pain as her teammates surrounded her.
The crowd in Galen Center went silent as coach Lindsay Gottlieb and two other USC staffers attended to the 19-year-old Watkins, a 6-foot-2 sophomore who averages 24.6 points. She was carried off the court by multiple people and the game went to a media timeout with the Trojans leading 13-2.
The crowd loudly booed Mississippi State on its subsequent possessions.
Watkins was 0 of 2 shooting, with three free throws, one rebound and two assists in five minutes.
The Trojans led 28-8 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, USC guard Malia Samuels went down hard on the baseline. She held her head in her hands as the crowd booed and Gottlieb again came rushing out to check on the sophomore, who ran the offense in Watkins' absence.
Watkins hurt her left hand after the ball jammed her fingers in USC's first-round blowout win over UNC Greensboro. She later came up limping on her left leg and winced.
“It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up,” she said afterward. “On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”
USC reached the Elite Eight in Watkins' first season a year ago, losing to Paige Bueckers and UConn. The teams could meet again in a regional final in Spokane, Washington, this year.
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) draws a foul against Mississippi State guard Eniya Russell, left, and guard Chandler Prater (5) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
