The son of a legend and a giant lock among those named in France's 31-man Six Nations squad
Romain Ntamack is one of five new faces in France's 31-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations.
The 19-year-old, who can play fly-half or centre, was a member of the Les Bleus squad that won the World Rugby Under-20 Championship last year.
Ntamack is joined by Toulouse team-mates Thomas Ramos and Dorian Aldegheri, while La Rochelle number eight Gregory Alldritt and the South-Africa born lock Paul Willemse are also included.
Montpellier powerhouse Willemse (6'7, 136kg) was tipped to have played in the November internationals, but was told he had to wait until he received a French passport.
Ntamack has emerged as a key centrepiece in Toulouse's plans this season, while full-back Ramos beat the likes of Benjamin Fall and Brice Dulin to selection.
Jacques Brunel will hope the injection of fresh blood can rejuvenate a France squad that suffered a historic first defeat to Fiji last November.
Clermont duo Morgan Parra and Wesley Fofana return having missed the November matches due to injury.
The likes of Teddy Thomas, Yoann Maestri and Mathieu Babillot miss out on selection due to injury.
Forwards: Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Demba Bamba, Pierre Bourgarit, Yacouba Camara, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux, Julien Marchand, Louis Picamoles, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Willemse
Backs: Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Yoann Huget, Camille Lopez, Maxime Medard, Romain Ntamack, Morgan Parra, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Baptiste Serin
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I like to see the Crusaders lose as much as the next non-Crusaders fan, but the fact that most of their best players have not been available this year is being hand waved away like it shouldn’t effect them. It’s no coincidence that their first dominant performance came when they had more of their best players back. This is not rocket science. If they can stay fit their team at the business end of the season will include Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Quentin Strange, Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace in the forwards - most of whom have barely, or not played this year. That is an outstanding pack that have not played together this season. McLeod, Havili, Aumua, Reece, and Halfpenny will be a very different prospect behind their first choice pack as well. Having said all that Penney’s record is scratchy at best, but given the players that have left and their injury list I’m reserving judgement. Penney’s appointment, a bit like Foz, has a similar stench of the incumbent having too much say in his replacement. They are lacking a truly high quality and experienced 10 which will make it hard for them to go the whole way IMO, but the list of teams who would want to play them in the finals will be very short.
Go to commentsWhere’s this people's champion come from? Irish people yes….other people? Their arrogance has become breathtaking. Not tested? Oh dear.
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