Melvyn Jaminet's surprising selection with the British Barbarians

On the night of July 6-7, 2024, Melvyn Jaminet sadly distinguished himself by posting a video on Instagram: "I swear, the first Arab I meet on the road, I'll hit him with my helmet," exclaimed the fullback of the Rugby Club Toulonnais (RCT) then in the middle of a tour in Argentina with the French XV. Sentenced to a 34-week suspension (reduced to 26 after committing to community service activities), the 25-year-old fullback has since returned to the Top 14 pitches. But the doors of the French XV are still closed to him. This is not the case for all selections.

Melvyn Jaminet was called up to the British Barbarians on Tuesday, June 24, to play against South Africa on June 28 in Cape Town. The "Baa-baas" bring together players from around the world who were not selected by their national teams during the summer. The stated objective of this team, founded in 1890, is to liven up the off-season by "playing an attacking and adventurous game of rugby," as it explains on its website.

The Toulon player is not the only French player named in the 23-man squad, as Racing 92 prop Hassane Kolingar (three caps with the French XV) and Lyon hooker Camille Chat (33 caps with the French XV) will also be in the game. Seven other Top 14 players have also been selected, as well as Ovalie stars like Irishmen Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony and former New Zealand captain Sam Cane.

A year after the Blues' nightmare tour of Argentina, during which Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou were also accused of rape by a 39-year-old woman , Melvyn Jaminet has returned to his best form and was one of the key players in RCT's good end to the season, ultimately beaten in the semi-final of the French championship by Union Bordeaux-Bègles .

The fact remains that despite his good performances in the Var and this upcoming match with the British Barbarians, Melvyn Jaminet is not expected to make his ^21st appearance for the French XV any time soon. He was not included in Fabien Galthié's list of players participating in the summer tour in July to New Zealand, and a possible presence at the next international gatherings would be a big surprise.

"The circumstances, which we will not return to, mean that he is not a candidate for the French team. You have to realize that when you carry the rooster, you have a responsibility and you have a duty to be exemplary," Florian Grill recalled during a press conference on June 18. But the president of the French Rugby Federation considered that the player was "on an interesting path" and that he had "exemplary behavior . " "I believe in redemption, in second chances," he added.