France fly-half Romain Ntamack will miss his team’s upcoming Six Nations match against England at Allianz Stadium this Saturday after receiving a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle during France’s 43-0 victory over Wales in Paris on January 31.
Ntamack, 25, was sent off in the final moments of the match for a shoulder-to-head collision with Wales’ Ben Thomas. Initially shown a yellow card, the punishment was later upgraded to a red following an off-field review by the disciplinary committee.
Ntamack’s actions were deemed to have involved mid-range foul play, with the committee stating that a six-week suspension was appropriate.
However, after taking into account the fly-half’s guilty plea and clean disciplinary record, the suspension was halved to three weeks.
The suspension means Ntamack will not feature in France’s highly anticipated Six Nations clash against England this weekend.
The Toulouse player, who was making his first international appearance in over a year, will also miss the subsequent fixtures against Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, unless his punishment is reduced further.
Ntamack’s absence is a significant blow to the French side, as the fly-half has been an integral part of the team’s successes in recent years.
His return to the squad was a much-anticipated moment after a long period of injury, including a knee issue that caused him to miss France’s home Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the 2024 Six Nations opener against Italy.
The disciplinary panel confirmed that the ban could be reduced to two weeks if Ntamack successfully completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
This initiative is designed to help players understand the dangers of high tackles and improve their discipline on the field. The decision on whether the reduction will apply is expected to be made in due course.
Despite missing Saturday’s game, Ntamack could be available for France’s later fixtures in the Six Nations if his suspension is cut. The French squad will be hoping for his swift return as they continue their campaign to reclaim the Six Nations title.
France’s head coach, Fabien Galthié, will now be forced to make changes to his team, with the loss of Ntamack possibly affecting the team’s attacking structure and leadership.
The match against England at Twickenham is one of the most critical games in the tournament, and Galthié will be keen to find a solution to fill the void left by Ntamack’s suspension.
Following the England match, France’s Six Nations schedule includes games against Italy (23 February), Ireland (8 March), and Scotland (15 March), where they will hope to continue their pursuit of another title.
However, the absence of Ntamack’s playmaking ability could prove costly for Les Bleus in their remaining matches.
For now, France will focus on overcoming their latest setback and look for a strong performance this weekend, even without one of their star players on the field.
