Deprived of the World Cup in France in 2023 after a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Romain Ntamack will miss his return to blue announced this fall.
This is called being cursed. Out with injury this weekend during the poster of the Top 14 between Toulouse and Clermont, Romain Ntamack, who may have once feared a rupture of his Achilles heel, suffers from a muscle tear in his right calf. A new blow which promises to keep him away from the field for between three and four weeks.
More than the medical verdict, it is the timing which has serious consequences for the 25-year-old fly-half. On October 27, the person concerned was to return to Marcoussis after 15 months of imposed international retirement, with a view to preparing for the autumn tour of XV of France. Tour of which he was to be one of the attractions, with Antoine Dupont also back in business.
A hard blow for Galthié too
Weary for the Toulouse player, this setback certainly deprives him of a French start against Japan, on November 9 at the Stade de France. And this could well also be the case for the meetings scheduled immediately against New Zealand, on November 16, and Argentina six days later. An unfortunate setback for someone who has been impatient since his last appearance in blue, on August 12, 2023, against Scotland.
For Fabien Galthié, who must lift the veil within ten days on a first list of 42 names, this is obviously a big annoyance. In the mind of the national coach, Romain Ntamack is indeed the priority option at the opening. In his absence, Thomas Ramos, also injured against Clermont on Saturday evening but for a lesser injury, will undoubtedly be asked to take over the interim role once again. Unless Bordeaux opener Matthieu Jalibert defies the predictions.
