Gelez - mixed fortunes in autumn. (Allsport)

The Agen fly-half endured a miserable autumn international against Australia which was to - momentarily at least - cost him his international jersey.

With the scores locked together at 20-20 in the closing stages, he missed a kickable penalty as well as having the farcical situation where the ball fell to ground during his run up as he attempted another shot at goal. The referee called for a scrum, head and feed to the All Blacks.

Earlier he had notched up 17 points, including a brilliant invidual try in a 30-10 rout of South Africa in Paris.

It is a sign of Gelez's talents that within a year of his 2001 debut against South Africa he had amassed over 50 points in six Tests.

He faces a rare tussle with Gerald Merceron for the number ten jersey but is a player with a huge future at this level.