France blow: Romain Ntamack to miss entire Autumn Nations Series

Fly-half Romain Ntamack will miss France's entire Autumn Nations Series after sustaining a calf injury two weeks ago with Stade Toulousain.

The decision was reached in consultation with the French team’s staff and is aimed at ensuring a full recovery without risking further damage.

Ntamack - who came off shortly before half-time in Stade Toulousain's 48-14 victory over Clermont on October 12 - has been undergoing recovery since a medical assessment confirmed a three to four-week absence.

On Saturday during Stade Toulousain’s match against Toulon the 25-year-old discussed his injury with Canal Plus. He revealed initial concerns over a potential Achilles injury. “There was a lot of concern because the injury is on the lower part of the calf,” Ntamack said. “I was afraid that the Achilles tendon was affected but was reassured by the physiotherapists.”

With 37 caps to his name, Ntamack was notably absent from Fabien Galthié’s squad of 42 players announced ahead of the November 9 test against Japan at the Stade de France.

The French team will also play New Zealand and Argentina on November 16 and November 22, respectively.

"My injury is progressing well, more fear than harm. I don't have a specific deadline but am taking the time needed to avoid a relapse," said Ntamack. "I’m doing things in order and trying not to rush."

The fly-half is expected to return to play by late November and will now set his sights on a potential comeback for the 2025 Six Nations.

It's another brutal and cruel blow for both the player and for France, who were without this time last year at the Rugby World Cup.

In fact his last appearance for France was on August 12, 2023, against Scotland, a game after which he sustained a cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup.