Injured in the right calf on Saturday evening against Clermont and released at the end of the first period, Romain Ntamack underwent additional examinations which revealed a tear. The Toulouse playing master will miss the next few weeks of competition, very bad news four weeks before the start of the November tour of the XV of France against Japan.
By taking a step back, and above all by remembering the crestfallen expression of Romain NtamackSaturday evening, on the lawn of Ernest-Wallon, we can estimate that the nature of the injury of the opening half is less serious than feared. As confirmed by his trainer David Mélé at a press conference after the Toulouse trip against ASM, the Toulouse playing master suffered from his right calf, and more precisely from a tear, as reported by our colleagues at RMC.
In the first images, many feared an Achilles tendon injury when the Toulouse man lay down on the lawn and put his head in his hands. Supported by the rest of his teammates, his face betrayed his concern and his attitude when going out and meeting his brother Théo who was coming to the news, was not likely to reassure the Toulouse supporters and the French team. Finally, the MRI verdict – calf tear – is less serious, even if this physical problem will keep him away from the pitch for three to four weeks.
Uncertain for the XV of France tour
As for the calendar, it turns out to be unfavorable, because the tour of the XV of France is coming very quickly. Coach Fabien Galthié will announce his group of 42 players in the week of October 21 to 27, before the first match against Japan on November 9. Will Ntamack be delivered on time? For the first meeting against the Japanese, the recovery time seems a little tight. The question of his presence for the other two matches (New Zealand, November 16, and Argentina, November 22) will probably depend on his ability to return to training quickly.
For number 10, this injury is a new setback, certainly minor, but detrimental when we know that he has already missed the 2023 World Cup and the last 6 Nations Tournament because of his serious knee injury. Indeed, the incumbent has not worn the blue jersey since August 12, 2023 and the World Cup preparation meeting against Scotland.
