Star Metro - Bordeaux-Begles hammer Stade Francais despite Jalibert injury

Debutant teenage winger Hugo Avogadro was one of six try-scorers for the home side, who moved to third place in the table and four points behind league leaders Lyon, who thrashed Pau 51-25 on Saturday.

Jalibert's injury could be bad news for France head coach Fabien Galthie as it comes just seven weeks out from hosting Fiji in the Nations Championship.

Jalibert has suffered injuries to his goal-kicking right leg in the past and would offer fierce competition to Romain Ntamack for the starting number 10 international shirt if fit.

Local broadcasters Canal+ said that 27-year-old Jalibert had told them he had suffered a thigh tear having earlier claimed it seemed like a dead leg.

Bordeaux-Begles head coach Yannick Bru handed 19-year-old Avogadro his first club appearance with France flyer Louis Bielle-Biarrey rested in the stands.

The Parisians opened the scoring with a Louis Foursans-Bourdette penalty before youngster Avogadro marked his bow with a fine finish on just his fifth appearance in senior rugby.

Avogadro, who joined Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles from Grenoble, like Bielle-Biarrey, over the summer, dived over in the corner after evading three defenders.

Jalibert was then helped off the field after 14 minutes and was seen with an ice pack on his right thigh and crutches while sitting on the substitutes' bench.

Things went from bad to worse as Mathis Ibo crossed to give the visitors the lead but Bru's side moved back in front before the break despite wing Damian Penaud's yellow card after Jalibert's replacement Hugo Reus scored to make it 12-10.

Bordeaux dominated a one-sided second-half as France hooker Maxime Lamothe, English No.8 Tom Willis and wingers Arthur Retiere and Penaud crossed to secure a bonus point.

Elsewhere this weekend, Toulouse held on to edge promoted Vannes 29-23 in front of a sold-out Roazhon Park in Rennes to go second in the table.

J.Campbell--SMC