Could there have been a worse blow within the XV of France, less than a month before the opening of “its” Rugby World Cup? Staff and players of the Blues were in any case unanimous in evoking “a not easy Monday”, when they learned of the announcement of Romain Ntamack’s package for the World Cup. Victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the left knee, Saturday in Saint-Etienne, during the preparation match against Scotland (30-27), the Toulousain received the support of the entire tricolor group. “We are not going to lie to each other, we all had a very bad day yesterday, summed up the rear coach of the XV of France Laurent Labit on Tuesday. It was said early on that injuries were part of the experiences of a World Cup. We talked about it with the players because it unfortunately happened often. There, it falls on Romain who is an important part of our group. »
It’s the least we can say… The Blues’ most capped player (72 caps), center Gaël Fickou evokes “a not easy Monday despite the victory” against Scotland, with “a huge thought for Romain”, who was still present on Tuesday afternoon during the training of his partners in Capbreton. “It’s complicated, “Roma” I meet him on a daily basis”, engaged his teammate in Toulouse Thomas Ramos, usual rear who replaced him on Saturday at the opening against Scotland, after his left knee injury, which did not yet worry Fabien Galthié unduly at that time.
“Solutions, we have them”, insists Laurent Labit
“It’s been a few years since he managed to be a great number 10 and to see him leave and leave the group a few weeks before the competition, it sure hurts for him”, continues Thomas Ramos. This package, which should not make us forget the other tile of the weekend, the calf injury of the left pillar Cyril Baille (absent five to six weeks), inevitably opened the debate on his replacement at the hinge alongside Anthony Dupont.
A debate “which could have waited at least 24 hours compared to Romain”, according to Thomas Ramos, cited as a possibility with the training openers Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy. “Solutions, we have them”, replied Laurent Labit on Tuesday, quite proud to recall “that there are many nations who envy us for having so many players in this position”. And this before deciphering the three solutions available.
- “Matthieu has international experience, we know his attacking and X-factor qualities. With his speed, he can be very dangerous with the ball. »
- “Antoine is a much more “systemic” player and regulator at team level. He’s been with us for two years. When you experience summer tours, it allows you to develop players. He went to La Rochelle, was European champion, we consider that these are international matches, especially when you win the final at Leinster. »
- “Thomas is a master at playing, a second number 10 already on the pitch. We have other solutions which are different and not devoid of qualities. »
Hastoy holder at the opening, Tuesday in training
Asked about the prospect of leaving his position as fullback to take on that of opener for the Blues and thus “be at the heart of the game”, Thomas Ramos estimated “being able to help out at the opening”. “But it’s been a while since I’ve played in that position, and even less at international level, except to help out at the end of the match, recalls the Stade Toulousain player. There are two other number 10s in the team, very good ones. I’ve been playing at the back for a while. If I’m asked to go open, I’ll do it like I always have, but I’m focused on the back position. »
To feed his point, Thomas Ramos explained on Tuesday that the two positions were “completely different”: “At the opening, we have to make decisions much faster. This is why it takes time to adapt, even more at the international level. It’s not 10 minutes of playing time at the opening that will make me play in this position. During the first training session of the week, Tuesday, aimed at preparing for the next warm-up match against Fiji, Saturday in Nantes, it was Antoine Hastoy who wore the starting blue chasuble at the opening, and Matthieu Jalibert that of substitute. It remains to be seen whether the hierarchy will be the same, on September 8 against the All Blacks, to compensate for the terrible injury to Romain Ntamack.