The XV de France had quite the night on January 31, 2025, celebrating their commanding 43-0 victory over Wales to kick off the Six Nations tournament. Although the match was marked by incredible performances, one key incident cast a shadow over the proceedings—Romain Ntamack's red card.
Ntamack's dismissal came in the 71st minute after he made contact with Welsh winger Tom Rogers' head. Initially shown a yellow, the decision was elevated to red after review by the video referee, commonly referred to as the bunker. The 25-year-old Toulouse player, sitting on the sidelines, buried his head in his hands, visibly upset by the turn of events.
Antoine Dupont, captain of the French team, spoke on the situation: "Romain has circumstances mitigating the situation... we hope the sanction isn't too severe." Dupont expressed hope for leniency, highlighting Ntamack's clean record prior to this incident. The red card not only changed the game’s atmosphere, but it also left the French coach, Fabien Galthié, with questions about the outcome: "The red card poses questions for us," Galthié stated after the match.
Despite the red card, France's performance throughout the match was almost flawless. They scored seven tries without conceding any, showing impressive team cohesion and individual brilliance. The early moments of the match saw the French side struggle slightly against the Welsh, who appeared more determined and focused. But once the French team settled, they quickly turned the game on its head.
Théo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey stood out during the first half, each scoring two tries. They helped the French team build a comfortable 28-0 lead by halftime. Antoine Dupont showcased his playmaking skills, ensuring fluid ball movement and exploiting gaps in the Welsh defense.
Commenting on the match's progression, Galthié emphasized their pragmatic approach: "We adapted to the weather conditions—we were pragmatic." This statement reflects the strategy the French team employed throughout the tournament opener, which resulted in high scoring without allowing the opposition any solid footing.
The French forward pack demonstrated their dominance, and solid tackling highlighted their defensive prowess. By the time Ntamack received his card, France had already achieved the offensive bonus point, and the team pressed on to score three more tries before the final whistle, wrapping up the match at 43-0.
Reflecting on the impact of Ntamack's absence, Dupont pointed out the challenges faced moving forward, especially with the upcoming match against England on the schedule. "It's going to be imperative to adapt," Dupont remarked, hinting at the shift needed for their tactical play against the English side.
With injuries affecting the lineup as well—Bordeaux's Buros is out, and Parisian Barré recently suffered from concussion—the staff must now rethink their strategies. Galthié has to decide whether to move Thomas Ramos to the fly-half position, which could necessitate selecting another fullback after the red card incident.
Potential replacements were already being discussed, with Matthieu Jalibert seen as the frontrunner for the role, especially since he has been unavailable during preparations for the Wales match but is back with his club. This is seen as the most plausible option to maintain the fluidity of the back line and minimize disruption.
Add to this the hopeful return of key player Damian Penaud, and the French team is eager yet cautious as they prepare for the crunch match against their oldest rivals.
While many celebrate their victory on the field, the looming disciplinary action against Ntamack leaves questions unanswered about decisions made during the game. Will the incident spark changes within the French setup, or will the seasoned coach Galthié find ways to adapt strategically without relying on one of his stars?
Only time will tell as the countdown to the showdown with England intensifies. One thing is clear: Romain Ntamack's red card will weigh heavily on the minds of the French team as they strive for Six Nations glory.