Bernard Jackman warns Ireland of potential spy after France’s ‘left field’ Six Nations selection
Rabah Slimani speaking with Andrew Porter at Leinster, and former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman.
Respected pundit Bernard Jackman believes that France could be fed some vital information about Ireland ahead of their Six Nations encounter.
Those two countries are the favourites for the upcoming tournament with their key clash taking place at the Aviva Stadium in Round Four.
Both teams named their Six Nations squads on Wednesday, with Les Bleus’ 42-man group throwing up a few surprises.
Among the names was a rising star playing in France’s second tier, the son of a former Ireland international and a certain Rabah Slimani.
Last France cap
It is the selection of a Slimani which particularly caught Jackman’s eye. While the prop has been in fine form for Leinster this season, he has not featured under Fabien Galthie with his last appearance coming at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The tighthead could therefore be a vital informant for Galthie in the build-up to the crunch match in March.
“It will be interesting what Slimani’s role is the week of the Ireland game,” he said. “Is he in the 23 or is he giving them really good information around the Irish game and the Irish players?” the ex-Ireland front-rower told the RTE Rugby podcast.
“I think it’s quite creative by Galthie, and fair play to him.”
Unlike other countries, France do not have laws which prohibit the selection of overseas-based players, perhaps due to the fact that they find it much easier to retain their stars.
That has therefore opened up the opportunity for Galthie to select Slimani and enable Les Bleus to glean some information about Leinster and Ireland ahead of the Six Nations.
“It’s left field but great for him. It’s also interesting, France never had to make a rule about players leaving the Top 14 to be eligible because it hasn’t happened,” Jackman said.
“Back in the day there was a little bit of a relationship between the Sharks and French players, but by and large… [Antoine] Frisch came to Ireland but via Bristol, and he wasn’t in the reckoning then.”
Despite the benefit the national team could get from Slimani’s selection, Jackman reckons that it could be an unpopular decision with the French clubs, who may worry that it will set a precedent going forward.
“It’s a really interesting move by Galthie. I’d say the LNR [Ligue nationale de rugby], the French clubs, wouldn’t be overly keen on it because potentially it makes it harder for them to retain players,” he said.
“I know it’s only one player, but you can imagine players and agents won’t be afraid to say we can go to the Premiership, be a marquee player in the Premiership and still play for France.”
Deserved call-up
Not that Slimani does not deserve a call-up on the basis of form, according to Jackman, with the 35-year-old settling in nicely in Dublin.
With Les Bleus also short of depth in the tighthead position, the former Ireland hooker reckons that he could well be part of the 23 for the Six Nations.
“I think Rabah’s been great, player of the month for Leinster for December. He started and has come off the bench, both roles equally well. A lot of the value he has brought has been his ability to bring through some of the young props,” Jackman added.
“He’ll be shocked by it, but it’s absolutely great for him if he can add to his caps, because he’s really bought into the whole experience over here.”
