France flyhalf Romain Ntamack is relishing the opportunity to face the Springboks in Paris on Saturday, having missed the 2023 World Cup through injury.
When the sides last met at the Stade de France, the Boks won 29-28 in a thrilling quarter-final that ended the hosts’ dream of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil.
Ntamack, who was sidelined with a knee injury sustained before the tournament, says that defeat still lingers among the French players.
“I wasn’t part of that World Cup quarter-final squad, but the trauma affected more than just the 23 players on the team sheet,” he told RugbyRama. “Since then, all that has passed, and now we’re focused on Saturday night’s match.”
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Ntamack admits the clash with the Boks carries extra emotional weight but insists France’s focus is on building momentum for the rest of their end-of-year campaign.
“This match is important because we are playing the two-time world champions,” he said. “Regardless of the result, the performance must give us collective experience in preparation for the rest of the autumn series [against Fiji and the Wallabies] and, later, the World Cup.”
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After a series of setbacks since his initial injury, the 26-year-old says he’s simply enjoying being back on the field and feeling fully fit again.
“I feel light, happy. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to start a November tour at 100% of my physical capacity,” Ntamack said.
“Day to day, I’m having a huge amount of fun and feel fantastic. I’m approaching this match a bit like a kid wearing the French national jersey for the first time.”
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Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
The post Ntamack feeling like a kid again appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
France flyhalf Romain Ntamack is relishing the opportunity to face the Springboks in Paris on Saturday, having missed the 2023 World Cup through injury.
The post Ntamack feeling like a kid again appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
