Interview Ntamack stays grounded as golden generation aim for the stars
One man falls, another steps forward to take his place, Romain Ntamack regaining the No 10 shirt he lost through injury to Matthieu Jalibert in a sign of the riches at the disposal of France as they ready themselves for a bracing shot at the Six Nations title tonight in Paris.
There is no doubt that Ntamack’s return to the front line enhances France’s chances of pulling off the outrageous coup of their first championship silverware since 2010, albeit they have a spirited opponent in Scotland at the Stade de France as well as an imposing statistical hurdle to clear. France need everything to fall in their favour through a bonus-point victory and a pointsdifference shift of 21. France are poised while Wales watch from afar.
France are blessed to have la jeunesse doree at their disposal, a golden generation of talent, notably at halfback where the difference in quality between the contenders is hardly noticeable. Yet the fact that Fabien Galthie has been able to reunite
what was his first-choice Stade Toulousain pairing of Antoine Dupont and Ntamack, the fly-half back after two months out with a fractured jaw, is a mark of the calibre to be found in French ranks. Ntamack was an unused replacement against England, but came through strongly last weekend against Wales when Jalibert was forced off with a head injury after 29 minutes.
What has been impressive about the rejuvenation of France over the past 18 months has been the levelheadedness of those involved, a tone set by Galthie and manager Raphael Ibanez and adopted in full by the young players in particular.
“We are well aware that we are only at the start of all this and that there is a long way to go yet,” Ntamack says. “We have played quite well, but we have won nothing of substance; no titles. Things have been put in place and it has been good to be part of that. We have a precise understanding of what we want to do and what we expect of each other.
“We have been given a bit of rope to express ourselves, to improvise, but it is all within a framework laid down by the staff. We have been able to show a bit of our individual game, but within the structure. It is a good balance. We have to be humble, stay grounded, keep working. We have promise, yes, and it is all exciting, but we are a long way from our destination.”
Ntamack has all the star quality that has been shown so brilliantly by Dupont. It was Ntamack, in fact, who came through more notably when named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year in 2019. The 21-year-old is of famous stock, with his father, Emile, an irresistible presence on the wing for Stade Toulousain as well as France. Romain’s brother, Theo, has also come through the Toulouse ranks.
“You feel part of the whole history of the club, of the city, there,” Ntamack says. “There is definitely a link between the generations, different people with the same values. Rugby is right at the heart of the city. It is the lifeblood of the place. You breathe rugby there. It is something quite special, not hanging over you, not weighing you down, but lifting you up, inspiring you. It is about being true to those traditions whenever and wherever we play.”
What is true of club is equally appropriate for country. France’s resurgence has been about rigour first and foremost, about tending to the basics before allowing the backs to throw off whatever shackles may
be constraining them. Their prime objective tonight is to win. The enticing title permutations only come into play later.
“It is my view that a strong France is good for rugby in the northern hemisphere,” Ntamack says. “We all want strong rivalry to exist as it is of benefit to everyone. It is the same as me fighting for the No10 shirt. It is a real spur for me, makes me stay on my toes. I assume nothing. And France does not either.”