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'I have my opinion': Ntamack wades into Dupont injury debate
By PA
France fly-half Romain Ntamack feels it is “totally incomprehensible” that the terms of his suspension differed to the sanction handed to Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.
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Ntamack returned to action in Les Bleus’ 42-27 victory in Dublin last weekend after missing two Guinness Six Nations matches following his red card in the round-one win over Wales.
Ringrose is available to feature in Ireland’s championship finale away to Italy on Saturday, having sat out only one Test match – Ireland’s defeat to France – as punishment for his dismissal against the Welsh.
While Ringrose was permitted to count a Leinster fixture as part of his ban, Toulouse playmaker Ntamanck was unable to include a club match in his punishment.
“There is an injustice here, because I believe our case was also based around how one of the matches in my suspension I would play for Toulouse,” the 25-year-old said ahead of Saturday’s game against Scotland.
“And when 10 days later the complete opposite (for Ringrose) is decided in contrast to what the commission told me that is in every shape and form totally incomprehensible.
“I think we must start pounding our fist on the table because it is time these decisions going against us and costing us dearly stop.”
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France will win the Six Nations by beating Gregor Townsend’s Scots in Paris.
Ntamack is likely to partner Bordeaux scrum-half Maxime Lucu at Stade de France after his club-mate Antoine Dupont sustained serious knee damage against Ireland, prompting anger in the French camp.
“I have my opinion on that and I will keep it to myself,” Ntamack said of Dupont’s injury, which occurred during a ruck clearout involving Irish pair Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter.
“It is always upsetting when a player is injured in such an incident. It is never very clear in this type of situation.
“There will be a debate round rucks forever. I think, though, it is imperative that we all sit around a table and clarify it a little.”
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Ntamack threw his shoulder into another’s face seeking revenge. Ringrose made a clumsy blunder. As for the Dupont injury, it’s an outrage to suggest it was deliberate.
Yet Ntamack high tackle wasn’t deliberate either. He always has been a very calm, disciplined player and as a fly half, his channel is always targeted by the opposing centers. Why would he go for a deliberate malicious tackle when the game is already won? This is totally out of character. It was also the first time in his carreer he recieved a red card.
I am also convinced Tagdh Beirne fall on Dupont’s knee was not intentional, he seems to be a very smart and fair player. But again, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a foul.
There is definitely a lot of variation and inconsistency within referee groups. But the rules need to be much more clear too to avoid the wide range of interpretations that we see. This is probably the biggest issue in Rugby Union.
A joke
I just read the original interview (in French) and while the message is the same, the way he expressed it is more nuanced. This translation really makes him sound like a conceited guy.
Regarding Dupont’s injury, he will obviously be one of the least objective person around, but he does have a point : the key issue here is to further clarify the legality of this type of action (since a very similar case resulted in a yellow card in the WC final), rather than blaming individual players. I am entireley convinced the dangerous clear out by Tagdh Beirne was unintentional, yet it doesn’t mean it should be considered legal (see rugby laws, 9.20.e). Tens of unintentional gestures are penalized in rugby.