Autumn Nations Series | Jaminet revels in first taste of Paris to lead France home

by Paul Eddison

Melvyn Jaminet produced a nerveless display to help France get off to a winning start in the Autumn Nations Series, kicking 19 points in his home debut for Les Bleus.

The Perpignan full-back was a surprise inclusion on France’s summer tour of Australia, starting all three Tests Down Under despite having never played a top-flight match.

Perpignan now ply their trade in the Top 14, and Jaminet kept his place in the French side instead of previous incumbent Brice Dulin who was back available.

And he proved a matchwinner against Los Pumas, kicking seven of his eight shots at goal, while also impressing with his counter-attacking and territorial kicking.

He was deservedly named Player of the Match in the 29-20 success as France overcame a slow start, leading 9-7 at the break, to finally pull clear of Argentina.

In his first experience of the Stade de France, Jaminet clearly relished playing in front of a big crowd.

He said: “It was great but it was a very intense match. We knew what to expect from the Argentinians, we knew the rucks would be very intense. In the first half we had trouble organising ourselves but in the second half, the French public carried us and for me it was beautiful to discover the Stade de France.

“They are an amazing crowd, they carry us when we are struggling in our half and I think that made the difference.

“We need to focus on ourselves, work on the little imperfections. We need to take it game by game, Georgia will be intense so we have to get ready.”