France Fly-half Romain Ntamack Banned For England Clash After Red Card Against Wales

France’s fly-half Romain Ntamack has been banned for two weeks and will miss England Vs France after his red card against Wales.

The 25-year-old Toulouse star is out of this weekend’s clash with England at Twickenham after picking up a two-week suspension.

He was sent off after a high shot on Wales’ Ben Thomas during the latter stages of France’s 43-0 victory in Paris.

On Wednesday, a disciplinary hearing gave Ntamack a three-week ban. But that will be reduced to two weeks if the player completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Plan (Tackle School).

The exact date of the fly-half’s return is not yet confirmed, but he is expected to be available when France take on Ireland on 8 March.

Initially, Ntamack was shown a yellow card for making head contact against Thomas. However, this was upgraded to a red card following an off-field review.

Watch: Romain Ntamack Banned For Red Card Vs Wales

🟨 Romain Ntamack is sent to the sin bin for direct head contact…#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/YKddtr3ZP7

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) January 31, 2025

At Wednesday’s disciplinary meeting, the panel judged that the offence warranted a mid-range entry point of a six-game suspension.

But this was then reduced by 50% after Ntamack’s guilty plea and lack of previously disciplinary issues for foul play.

The ban will be reduced by a further week, down to two, if he completes the World Rugby ‘tackle school’ coaching program.

Last weekend’s game against Wales was Ntamack’s first international for more than a year.

The fly-half had missed last year’s Six Nations and home World Cup with a major knee injury.

A calf problem then kept him out of the Autumn Nations Series. But his excellent form with Toulouse has seen him recalled to the French squad.

Following Saturday’s game against England at Twickenham – which Ntamack will not feature in – France face Italy (23 February), Ireland (8 March) and Scotland (15 March).

As Ntamack’s suspension relates to matches, rather than specific weeks, he is probably also going to be missing for France against Italy.

This is not certain, though, as he could theoretically play club rugby in the fallow week, meaning he may be deemed to have served his two-game suspension by 23 February.