Disgraced France fullback aims Test return
SPOTLIGHT: Toulon fullback Melvyn Jaminet on Thursday said that he was eager to return to the French international set-up after serving his 34-week ban for posting a racist video.
Jaminet, 26, has not played for Les Bleus since the video surfaced during France’s tour of Argentina in June 2024.
“When I saw the French national team play this summer against the All Blacks, it definitely makes you want to play,” he told AFP in an interview, conceding that “the cards are not in my hands”.
“Only the truth on the pitch can make us forget this affair.”
Since his suspension from all competitions expired in February, Jaminet has been on “an interesting path”, French rugby federation president Florian Grill acknowledged, highlighting the player’s good behaviour over the past few months.
The November Tests will be the next challenge for Les Bleus, with a rematch at the Stade de France against South Africa, who edged the hosts 29-28 there in the 2023 World Cup quarterfinals.
France will also play Fiji in Bordeaux and Australia back in Paris.
However, Jaminet insisted that he was not jumping ahead of himself and that his mind was on his form at Toulon.
“For now, I’m focused on the club. I don’t want to spread myself too thin,” he said.
“I’m really keen to show that I can deliver, and if I’m lucky enough to return to the French national team one day, it will mean that I’ve performed well.”
In the meantime, Jaminet’s goal is “to play a full season with Toulon”, having only joined the club in December 2023 and then been suspended for nearly eight months at the end of that season.
“I hope I don’t get injured and perform well in every match to rediscover my serenity and help the team,” he said before Sunday’s Top 14 clash against La Rochelle at Mayol Stadium.
He played his part in last week’s 16-12 victory over Castres, landing a conversion and the first drop goal of his Top 14 career.
