Romain Ntamack Signals Progress in Comeback Journey from World Cup-ending Injury

French rugby fans received a glimmer of hope this week as Romain Ntamack, the dynamic fly-half from Toulouse, took a significant step forward in his recovery from the ACL rupture that prematurely ended his World Cup dreams. The 24-year-old shared a video on social media, showcasing his return to the training paddock with the caption “boots on, first return to the field.”

Ntamack, a key player for both Toulouse and the French national team, suffered the ACL injury during a warm-up match against Scotland in August, leading to his withdrawal from the World Cup squad. The video depicts the Toulouse star donning boots and running on what seems to be synthetic grass, illustrating his determination to regain full fitness.

While the sight of Ntamack back in action is undoubtedly encouraging, the road to full recovery from ACL injuries is known to be lengthy. In an interview with Le Parisien earlier this month, the 37-cap international expressed caution about rushing the process.

“I’m careful because I don’t want to skip steps,” Ntamack emphasized, acknowledging the need for a meticulous approach to rehabilitation. He continued, “I never set a date, but seeing how things are going, I think I will be ready at the end of March, beginning of April. Doctors say that when you approach eight months after surgery, there is no risk of relapse.”

This timeline would unfortunately rule Ntamack out of the upcoming Guinness Six Nations, dealing a blow to the French squad. His half-back partner, Antoine Dupont, will also be absent as he shifts focus to rugby sevens in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games.

The absence of Ntamack was keenly felt during the home World Cup, where France exited in the quarter-finals after a narrow defeat to eventual champions South Africa at the Stade de France. Domestically, Toulouse continues to navigate the Top 14 without their influential No. 10, although their successful start in the Investec Champions Cup, including victories against Cardiff and Harlequins, signals the team’s resilience in his absence.

As Ntamack takes each stride in his recovery journey, French rugby enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the return of this playmaking maestro, whose skills and leadership were dearly missed on the international stage.