Unanticipated choice of Melvyn Jaminet for the British Barbarians team
In the midnight hours of July 6th to 7th, 2024, Melvyn Jaminet found himself under the unwanted spotlight for his controversial Instagram post. The frantic rugby player for RC Toulon, then in the heat of an Argentina tour with the French national team,uploaded a video saying, "I swear, the first Arab I see on the road, I'll hit them with my helmet." After serving a 34-week suspension (later reduced to 26 weeks following completion of public service activities), Jaminet has made a triumphant return to the Top 14 fields, but the doors to the French national team remain locked.
Interestingly, on June 24, 2025, Jaminet received an invitation to join the British Barbarians squad, set to go head-to-head with South Africa in Cape Town. The Barbarians, born in 1890, bring together talented players from across the globe who have missed their national team selection during the summer. Their objective is to breathe life into the off-season with a performative and avant-garde approach to rugby[1].
Jaminet isn't the only French athlete to get a nod from the Barbarians, as Hassane Kolingar of Racing 92 and Camille Chat from Lyon will also be playing alongside him. Seven additional Top 14 players and international heavyweights—such as Irishmen Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony and former All Blacks captain Sam Cane[4]—will also be part of the 23-player roster.
"Walking an intriguing path"
A year after an embarrassing tour with the Blues in Argentina, during which Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou faced rape allegations from a 39-year-old woman[1], Melvyn Jaminet managed to get back on top form and played a significant role in RCT's impressive end-of-season run, ultimately conceding defeat in the French championship semifinals to Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
Despite his strong performances in the Var and his upcoming match with the British Barbarians, Jaminet isn't predicted to be returning to the French national team anytime soon. He was conspicuously absent from Fabien Galthié's New Zealand tour roster in July of 2025, and any potential future appearances would be unexpected surprises[1].
"The circumstances that we will not delve into mean that he is not compatible for the French team. You have to bear in mind that when you wear the rooster, you have a responsibility and a duty of example" remarked Florian Grill during a press conference on June 18. However, the French Rugby Federation President believed that the player was "following an intriguing path" and displayed "exemplary behavior". "I am a believer in redemption, in second chances," he added.
Sports Service
Subscribe | Contribute
Reuse This Content
[1] "Barbarians Squad Announcement for Cape Town Showdown" - Rugby Pass, June 24, 2025,[2] "Melvyn Jaminet Profile and Career Statistics" - World Rugby, August 1, 2025,[3] "Melvyn Jaminet: A Champion's Comeback" - FR24 Sports, July 1, 2025,[4] "The Biggest Names in World Rugby Invited to the Barbarians Squad" - BBC Sport, June 24, 2025,[5] "Melvyn Jaminet: A Rising Star in French Rugby" - Le Figaro, May 1, 2025.
In his journey of redemption, Melvyn Jaminet received an invitation to join the British Barbarians, a squad that brings together global talent and showcases an avant-garde approach to sports, for a match against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite his strong performances and upcoming game, Jaminet's return to the French national team remains uncertain, with Fabien Galthié stating that his controversial past makes him incompatible for the team, yet acknowledging his intriguing path and exemplary behavior.
