11/07/2026 04:17:00
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11/07 16:15 CST Ntamack injury mars France rout of Fiji before Springboks clash
Ntamack injury mars France rout of Fiji before Springboks clash
LYON, France (AP) --- France defeated Fiji 54-17 in a bruising clash at the
possible cost of flyhalf Romain Ntamack on Saturday for the showdown with South
Africa in Nations Championship rugby.
Ntamack left the match in obvious pain in the 33rd minute with an apparent
shoulder injury.
With other main options Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy and Thomas Ramos
already out injured, France may need a new 10 against the world champion
Springboks on Friday in Paris.
Maxime Lucu, one of only two backs on the bench, deputized at flyhalf without
issue and goalkicked superbly but he's normally the scrumhalf backup for
captain Antoine Dupont.
France scored eight tries but worked overtime against Fiji's ferocious defense
to grind out a 26-3 lead at halftime. The French blew out the score in style
with four converted tries in a madcap last quarter when Fiji also nailed its
only two touchdowns.
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