Stander alert over Jalibert
CJ STANDER has warned Ireland to beware of rookie France fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.
The Ireland flanker believes uncapped Jalibert can dictate the tempo for the new-look Les Bleus line-up in tomorrow’s opener at the Stade de France.
Jalibert, 19, has just 15 league appearances for Bordeaux Begles, but is in the France starting line-up for Jacques Brunel’s first game at the helm.
Ireland’s back row of Stander, Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony could be forgiven for licking their lips at the prospect of hunting down an untried No10, but the Munster loose forward says they must keep a close eye on the prodigy.
“He plays a good game, he’s very exciting and tries anything from anywhere, so we’ve got to watch him closely,” said Stander. “You don’t know what he’s going to bring, so you’ve got to get in his face and just try to shut him down. If he’s good enough and he gets a chance then he should grab it. He’s been great when he’s played for his club.”
Leinster lock James Ryan will earn just his fifth cap after dislodging mainstay Devin Toner to start in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland side.
Ryan, 21, and long since earmarked as a future Test leader, will partner Iain Henderson in the engine room, while Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale will make their Six Nations debuts.
Ireland’s Johnny Sexton copped a host of heavy and late hits as his side slipped up 10-9 in Paris two years ago, but Schmidt has backed referee Nigel Owens to police any foul play this time.
“We hope with the referee we’ve got that it won’t even enter into the fray,” he said.