Rugby World Cup: Romain Ntamack package, Cyril Baille absent “five to six weeks”

Thunderbolt for the Blues. The opener of the XV of France Romain Ntamack, touched in a knee, must forfeit the Rugby World Cup (September 8-October 28), a source close to the player told AFP on Monday. “I’ll be back”, wrote the French player on his X account (formerly Twitter).

I’ll be back pic.twitter.com/HPO9rVpFbC

— Romain Ntamack (@RomainNtamack) August 14, 2023

Romain Ntamack suffers from a ruptured cruciate ligament

Injured on Saturday in the victory against Scotland (30-27), Romain Ntamack, player of Stade Toulouse (24 years old, 37 caps) suffers from a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the left knee, according to the daily The Team. Released in the 56th minute of this second preparation match, in Saint-Etienne, Ntamack was hurt on a tackle and had been replaced numerically by the young winger of Bordeaux-Bègles, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, his club partner Thomas Ramos taking his place at the opener alongside scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont.

“We have just been orphaned by one of the strategists of this France team”

“He’s a player who has a strategic position. The fly-half and the scrum-half are the conductors of the teams. And then Ntamack has been there for a long time. He is obviously part of the supply chain. French training which is magnificent. We have just been orphaned by one of the strategists and one of the absolutely brilliant guys of this French team. It’s terrible”, recognizes Mathieu Blin, the rugby consultant for Canal.

Coach Fabien Galthié showed no sign of concern after the match. “We preferred to take him out so that it remains without consequence. He was seen by the doctor, the physiotherapists and we will decide tomorrow (Sunday, editor’s note) depending on the evolution if there is a need for additional examinations”, he had explained.

Cyril Baille absent “five to six weeks”

The left pillar of the XV of France Cyril Baille will be absent “five to six weeks” due to a right calf injury, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced on Monday, which makes him uncertain for the World Cup (September 8-October 28). The Toulousain (29 years old, 44 selections) suffers from a “musculo-aponeurotic detachment of the internal gastrocnemius”, specified the FFR.

The Blues will start with a clash against the All Blacks

In the absence of Romain Ntamack, the opening half of the UBB Matthieu Jalibert should be the N.10 holder during the World Cup, which the Blues start with a shock against the All Blacks. For the moment, we do not know who will replace Cyril Baille. The XV of France is currently training in Capbreton, in the Landes, with an upcoming preparation match against Fiji on Saturday in Nantes.