XV of France – With or without Romain Ntamack? Return of the sea serpent…

One year after the crash, one year after the explosion and one year after the people of French rugby – whose questioning has never been the real strong point – have still not finished spitting their bile at the against Ben O’Keefe, a question has still not been fundamentally asked. Beyond the psychodrama surrounding Antoine Dupont’s maxillo-zygomatic fracture, didn’t the French XV begin to lose “its” World Cup on the day at the precise second when Romain Ntamack ruptured the cruciate ligaments in the left knee, August 12, 2023 in Saint-Etienne? Asking the question today is unfortunately – to a large extent – answering it. And if, at the time, the opening half of the XV of France had posted on his social networks a “I’ll be back” (I will come back, Editor’s note) in reference to Schwarzegger’s Terminator, it is clear that a year later, the French XV is still asking itself the question of the holder of number 10, in his absence…

Returning to competition at the end of March, after seven months of convalescence, Romain Ntamack of course proved that he had lost none of his talent or his influence, by contributing immediately (and in barely eight matches, including six phase finals) to the historic double at the Stade last season. Except that, since the start of the season, it has been clear that something was wrong with the health of the Toulouse prodigy. And if some easily attributed it to his recent paternity (with the short nights that invariably go with it), others rather mentioned a recurring swelling of the operated knee, which had also led the Stadium staff to spare their player for the 3rd and 5th days… Hence a certain apprehension, and a somewhat unnatural game in recent times, notably during this match against Clermont which saw him attempt more overhand kicks than in his entire career? We are today definitively convinced of this, unfortunately, in view of this tear in the calf of the opposite leg, which all empirical doctors will have cataloged as “compensation”…

Scalded by the criticism which followed his early return in November 2022

This tear? It should, in theory, keep Romain Ntamack away from the field between three and four weeks, mathematically depriving him of the first test against Japan on November 9. But for the other two, against Argentina on the 23rd and especially against New Zealand on the 16th? Nothing seems impossible, so much so that among the staff of the Blues, a glimmer of hope began to rustle. Yes, if he turns out to be recovered, Romain Ntamack could well make his return as soon as possible, aiming to receive the All Blacks. Which, medically speaking, implies an “acceptable” amount of risk. However, from a sporting point of view, would such a decision be reasonable? This is the painful equation that Fabien Galthié must calculate today, especially since the Supremo of the Blues remembers very well that in November 2022, he had already taken the risk of accelerating a return of Romain Ntamack for the November tests, a little less than two months after a sprained right ankle suffered against Toulon. For good reasons… “It’s very hard to replace Romain position for position, profile for profile, Thomas Castaignède explained to us on this subject. He belongs to the caste of great players, and a great player cannot be easily replaced. Among his direct competitors, we find players who have incredible drive, an ability to provoke and attack the advantage line. It’s always spectacular and interesting for the public, but I find that there is less control over the game.”

Hence the daring choice taken by Galthié two years ago, who exposed Ntamack to criticism to which he had not particularly appreciated… “I was coming back from a long injury and I wasn’t forgiven much, especially in the media, he told us at the time. I have always been used to being exposed, I have been exposed for a long time and I have very rarely missed it. However, on this tour, I felt that people quickly wanted to take me down on a lot of points. […] I didn’t expect it to this extent. After a month and a half without playing and two or three games in, I thought people would be more lenient with me. It is clear that no.” Therefore, after the frustration caused by Romain Ntamack’s year of absence in blue, would taking the risk of restarting him short of pace against the All Blacks really be the best solution? It’s up to Galthié and his Blues, whose relations with Stade Toulouse have cooled in recent times, to decide…