Matthieu Jalibert returns to top form in victory over Lyon

Matthieu Jalibert is back!

After the heartbreak of missing France's 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam, Matthieu Jalibert is back in action and in form for Union Bordeaux Begles.

The timing couldn't have been better for Bordeaux as they secured a playoff place in the Top 14 this weekend beating Lyon 42-10.

The 23-year-old made his return for Bordeaux earlier this month against Toulon playing 67 minutes in the 16-29 loss but was back on top form against Lyon.

He scored two tries in Bordeaux's win over Lyon, racked up nearly 100 running metres, beat eight defenders and made a clean break.

He has certainly been missed. Matthieu Jalibert is back with a BANG! pic.twitter.com/QF3CwgjRh0

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 22, 2022

Speaking before his return from injury last month, Jalibert expressed his disappointment in Bordeaux's medical team after missing France's Grand Slam Six Nations.

'I tore the right femoral muscle of the left thigh in early December against Toulouse. The doctor underestimated my injury,' Jalibert explained.

'I resumed too quickly. So the injury reoccurred several times, I trusted the club doctor. Despite some discomfort, we pursued a protocol that was actually not the right one.'

'In the end, each time, I relapsed in such innocuous moments, like in the warm-up last time.'

'The doctor got it wrong, and I am resentful. He acknowledged, he apologised, but the damage is done. I missed some big days, it’s very complicated to live, to accept.' he added.

'Of course as a player, I want to play again as soon as possible. But it’s not my role to say whether I’m fit or not. It is that of the doctor. The decision is not up to me.'

The talented playmaker could be in the frame for a test recall for France's July tests against Japan depending on how far Bordeaux go in the Top 14 playoffs.

Like last year, Fabien Galthie is unlikely to pick players featuring in the semi-finals of the competition.