ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Nov 2, 2020

'It was good to see the fear in the Irish defenders' - Ntamack to French press

After a near-perfect performance against Ireland in the final 6 Nations match of 2020, French fly-half Romain Ntamack said that it “was good to see the fear in the eyes of the Irish defenders” as his side secured a 35-27 victory in Paris.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking to French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique, the Toulouse out-half praised the attacking nature of Fabien Galthié’s youthful national squad and believes more of the same is to be expected in the coming years ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Combining with Toulouse stablemate Antoine Dupont for the seventh match in a row in the blue of France, Ntamack was one of several playmakers for the home side, who secured the bonus point win, but missed out on the 6 Nations title on points different to Eddie Jones’ England.

Both Ntamack and Dupont scored once each, while the former’s chip and chase late in the game set up Virimi Vakatawa for the fourth try. It’s an attacking prowess which, according to Ntamack, suits this group of players to a tee.

“The unstructured game is something we work on in training sessions,” said Ntamack. “And frankly, we have a lot of players who love this style of game, they love to get their hands on the ball.

“As soon as we get the ball, we’re all behind it. Calls come from everywhere, everyone is communicating and offering solutions,” the fly-half added.

“We build on that because those are the phases where the defences are the most fragile. With the players we have, we see the space and we try to exploit them quickly.

ADVERTISEMENT

“And, you know, as you soon as you break the gap, Dupont will be there in support (laughs).

“More generally, when Virimi or Gaël [Fickou] has the ball, you feel that the opposing defence is in panic. It’s good to see the fear in the eyes of the Irish in front of the French players. That hasn’t happened for quite a while.”

The attacking nature of Les Bleus, although a stark change from the recent Philippe Saint-André and Jacques Brunel eras, hasn’t come from nowhere. Instead, under new coach Galthié, France is making the most of its talented young players who are performing well for their clubs in the Top 14.

ADVERTISEMENT

More importantly, they are playing an open, expansive game at club level and transferring this onto the international scene.

It is bearing fruit, as it means that the exciting back-line can act on instinct rather than simple systems, which Ntamack says was the key to the fourth try scored by Vakatawa.

“There was a scrum where we decided something,” Ntamack said.

“But I said to Antoine, if there is a [penalty] advantage, we play. The forwards sunk the Irish and there was an advantage. Vincent Rattez took [the ball] first and then I saw the Irish scrum-half move into the [defensive] line.

“I said to myself: ‘okay, you must chip over the top, there’s nothing to lose’. I did it instinctively and I got the good bounce. I then had support on both sides, with Antoine and Virimi. It wasn’t planned but you saw the reaction of the guys; they both came like bullets.”

Related Articles

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Jersey Reds player evicted from own home following club collapse

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Watch Namibian wingers display incredible speed against Uruguay

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Vakatawa signs for English Premiership side in sensational return to rugby

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Exclusive: 'The Aussie DNA is missing' - David Campese reflects on Wallaby exit and ponders the future of Aussie rugby

View All