Ntamack wades into Dupont injury debate

France fly-half Romain Ntamack feels it is “totally incomprehensible” that the terms of his suspension differed to the sanction handed to Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.
Ntamack returned to action in Les Bleus’ 42-27 victory in Dublin last weekend after missing two Guinness Six Nations matches following his red card in the round-one win over Wales.
Ringrose is available to feature in Ireland’s championship finale away to Italy on Saturday, having sat out only one Test match – Ireland’s defeat to France – as punishment for his dismissal against the Welsh.
While Ringrose was permitted to count a Leinster fixture as part of his ban, Toulouse playmaker Ntamanck was unable to include a club match in his punishment.
“There is an injustice here, because I believe our case was also based around how one of the matches in my suspension I would play for Toulouse,” the 25-year-old said ahead of Saturday’s game against Scotland.
“And when 10 days later the complete opposite (for Ringrose) is decided in contrast to what the commission told me that is in every shape and form totally incomprehensible.
“I think we must start pounding our fist on the table because it is time these decisions going against us and costing us dearly stop.”
France will win the Six Nations by beating Gregor Townsend’s Scots in Paris.
Ntamack is likely to partner Bordeaux scrum-half Maxime Lucu at Stade de France after his club-mate Antoine Dupont sustained serious knee damage against Ireland, prompting anger in the French camp.
“I have my opinion on that and I will keep it to myself,” Ntamack said of Dupont’s injury, which occurred during a ruck clearout involving Irish pair Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter.
“It is always upsetting when a player is injured in such an incident. It is never very clear in this type of situation.
“There will be a debate round rucks forever. I think, though, it is imperative that we all sit around a table and clarify it a little.”