Romain Ntamack injury: France fly-half to miss rest of Nations Championship

Romain Ntamack will miss the rest of the Nations Championship after suffering a shoulder injury in France’s 54-17 victory over Fiji, head coach Fabien Galthié has said.

The fly-half’s return alongside Antoine Dupont lasted little more than half an hour in Lyon on Saturday before he left the field hurt.

“Romain went off with this injury and we won’t have him for the rest of the competition,” Galthié told TF1, as reported by AFP.

Romain Ntamack injury interrupts France reunion

Ntamack was hurt as he stretched towards the line during the move that preceded Sipili Falatea’s first-half try.

It brought an abrupt end to his reunion with Toulouse team-mate Dupont. The pair had been starting together for France for the first time in 20 months, according to RugbyPass.

Galthié described the shoulder problem as serious but did not announce a precise diagnosis or a longer-term recovery timetable. His assessment rules Ntamack out of the remainder of France’s November campaign.

France face shortage at fly-half

The injury leaves Galthié with another selection problem before Friday’s meeting with South Africa.

Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy are also injured, along with Thomas Ramos, who offers cover at fly-half as well as full-back.

Maxime Lucu moved into the position against Fiji. Galthié also identified Pau youngster Axel Desperes, who has been training with the squad, as an option while France consider their next selection.

Eight-try win overshadowed by injury

France scored eight tries to beat Fiji, with Dupont adding a late score to complete a commanding performance.

The bonus-point victory took them to 17 points at the top of the Nations Championship’s northern hemisphere standings, two ahead of Ireland.

South Africa provide their next test before a meeting with Argentina. France remain well placed in the competition, but must now continue without their starting fly-half.

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