Six Nations Tournament: Why Romain Ntamack could return to the competition sooner than expected ?

Romain Ntamack, who had a mixed Friday, January 31 following his red card (70th) against Wales (43-0), will be able to count on the Top 14 matches to reduce the length of his suspension.

With his head down as he walked around the Stade de France after the match against Wales, Romain Ntamack had to think back several times to the action leading to his red card, ten minutes before the end of the match.

He, who was rediscovering the jersey bearing the rooster after an eighteen-month absence, will have to wait a few weeks before donning the blue tunic. After an uncontrolled gesture, a shoulder blow directly to the head of the Welshman, Ben Thomas, resulting in a red card, Ntamack will know his sanction this Wednesday, February 5 at 11 a.m.

To defend himself, he will be accompanied by Raphaël Ibanez, general manager of the Blues, but also by a lawyer from Stade Toulousain, and the lawyer of the FFR.

What sanction does he risk ?

As Rugbyrama recalls, according to article 9.13 of the rules of Word Rugby: “A player must not tackle an opponent in anticipation, with delay or in a dangerous manner. A dangerous tackle includes, among other things, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the shoulder line, even if the tackle began below the shoulder line.”

The sanctions can therefore range from a two-week suspension if the low level is retained to more than ten weeks for the higher level up to fifty-two weeks.

Top 14 as savior

The Toulousain will be able to benefit from the Top 14 days played on the weekends of February 15-16, and March 1-2, in order to “serve his sentence”. The system of the list of “protected players” for weekends without matches has been modified by the 6 Nations committee.

To benefit from this solution, the player must not appear on a list of “protected players”, these internationals who do not have the right to play in the championship during the 6 Nations Tournament. Since this list is no longer sent as far in advance, the Blues staff has no choice but to not include Romain Ntamack.

In the event of a two-week suspension, the French fly-half would be back for the 3rd day of the tournament against Italy on February 23, and would only miss the Crunch against the English.

If the sanction increases to between three or four weeks, he will be present for the long-awaited clash against Ireland on March 8.