Chambered by his teammates about his weight, Romain Ntamack responded to them after making his big return to competition.
Nearly eight months after his rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which notably deprived him of the 2023 World Cup with the XV of France, Romain Ntamack made his return to competition this Saturday evening in the Top 14, facing in Pau, contributing to the victory of Stade Toulousain at the end of the game (31-29). Mocked before the match by his teammates about his physical transformation during his convalescence, the 24-year-old flyhalf returned to his weight gain at the microphone of Canal +.
“I had a knot in my stomach”
Substitute at kick-off, Ntamack came on in the 56th minute of play, to a standing ovation from the Ernest-Wallon stadium, in place of Antoine Dupont. A necessarily special moment for the international tricolor. “I couldn’t wait to rediscover these sensations, the atmosphere on the bus, the descent with the supporters waiting, he said at a press conference. It’s a special moment. I tried to enjoy it even though I was focused on the match. There were cheers, I wanted to take it because these are also moments that I was waiting for. I worked for it. I had a knot in my stomach. I needed to get back on the field to clear some things out. »
And to add: “I still have a lot of ambition. I know I’m coming back from a long injury but other players have done the job. I’m not coming back wanting to get the starting jersey right away. If the staff doesn’t feel it and if I have to be a substitute in big matches, I will be. I still have a lot of things to find. The club is the priority. »