'Deplorable' France v Wales incident casts shadow as Warburton accuses star of 'revenge mission'
While France’s display against Wales in the Six Nations opener in Paris on Friday was pretty close to the complete performance, one tackle has taken the shine of the win and could end up costing the French dearly in the weeks to come. Romain Ntamack’s “moment of madness” against Wales means he will almost certainly be banned for at least one game - France’s clash with England at Twickenham next weekend.
Ntamack was actually making his first international appearance since 2023 and impressed at number 10 next to the peerless Antoine Dupont. However, in the 70th minute the Toulouse fly-half tackled Wales’ Ben Thomas after he had released the ball.
Replays inside the Stade de France confirmed it was a late and dangerous tackle, and Ntamack was shown a yellow card by referee Paul Williams. This was quickly upgraded to a red card by the Foul Play Review Officer via the bunker system. The challenge is likely to result in a ban for Ntamack, who was visibly upset on the bench in the last minutes of the game as he contemplated yet more time on the sidelines after his long injury layoff.
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Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton said Ntamack showed a “complete lack of composure” and carried out a “revenge mission” on Ben Thomas following an earlier tackle which saw the Welsh outside-half put Ntamack on the floor with a forceful but legal challenge. Speaking on BBC Sport, Warburton added: “That lack of emotional control has really cost France for their title or potential Gramd Slam chances”.
Fabien Galthié, the French head coach, admitted afterwards that he is already planning to be without his starting outside-half, saying in a post-match press conference: “Our role will indeed be to find solutions in a particular context, in case he is suspended for Saturday.”
Galthié did appear to defend Ntamack, however, adding: “Afterwards, what we feel when we see the images is that he is surprised by the change of direction of the opposing number 10. He thinks he is going to go to the left, and he chases with his foot. I have the feeling that Romain does not engage in the collision. It is more a fact of play that surprises him. But there is contact to the head, we agree with the sanction. Afterwards, we will have arguments to defend him. He is a player who has a clean record, and it is an action that is not like him.”
French paper L'Equipe gave Ntamack a five out of 10 rating, clearly downgraded due to his actions in the 70th minute. Planet Rugby were even harsher, giving the player only three out of ten despite his part in a huge win. They said: “Played a supporting role, and rather well, to the magician that he partnered in the half-backs. It’s been a long road back to international rugby for the cool-headed fly-half but he did not look off the pace until his lazy tackle attempt and was rightly red-carded. It was needless and could cost Les Bleus next week.”
The Telegraph lamented Ntamack for his “moment of madness” and predicted that he is now “likely to miss a chunk of the Six Nations”. Opinion on social media was unanimous in agreeing with the decision to issue a red card to Ntamack. The Irish Independent’s chief rugby writer Rúaidhrí O’Connor said: “That’s Ntamack out of Twickenham and possibly Dublin too. Should be a proper ban for that.” Meanwhile, sportswriter Pat McCarry posted on X: “That’s plain deplorable from Ntamack. Save him a seat in Tackle School.”
Ntamack will discover if he is to receive a ban - and how long any ban will be - this week.
