Six Nations Tournament: a lenient sanction for Romain Ntamack after his expulsion against Wales

Romain Ntamack, qui n'avait encore jamais été expulsé en match international, a pu bénéficier de la mansuétude de la commission. MAXPPP – Olivier CORSAN

The Toulouse fly-half was summoned this Wednesday, February 5, before the Tournament's disciplinary committee for a dangerous tackle on Welshman Ben Thomas. He will miss the clash against England on Saturday, February 8.

The French XV fly-half Romain Ntamack has been given a three-week suspension and will miss the clash against England on Saturday at Twickenham (5:45 p.m.), after his exclusion against Wales, the Six Nations Tournament disciplinary committee announced on Wednesday.

A training camp to reduce the sanction by one week

The No. 10 of the Blues, sanctioned for a dangerous tackle on the Welshman Ben Thomas on Friday during the first match of the competition, should be able to make his return against Italy on February 23 in Rome. The player has indeed the possibility of following a training course set up by World Rugby to reduce the risks of tackles to the head, which will allow him to reduce his sanction by one week.

Ntamack should therefore only miss the match in England and the 16th day of Top 14 scheduled for February 15 and 16. Ntamack was summoned for breaching World Rugby Law 9.13, which states “a player must not tackle an opponent in anticipation, with delay or in a dangerous manner”.

Jalibert tipped to replace him

He was questioned on Wednesday morning via video conference by the Six Nations Tournament disciplinary committee, made up of two Australian officials and one Irishman. The Toulouse player made the mistake by hitting the Welsh fly-half with his shoulder in the head in the 71st minute of the French victory against the XV du Poireau (43-0). The referee initially gave him a yellow card, which was changed to a 20-minute red card after reviewing the video.

In his absence, Matthieu Jalibert could make his return as a starter for France on Saturday in England, according to the first indications left by coach Fabien Galthié.