Rugby Controversy: Ntamack Decries Injustice in Ringrose Ban Disparity

France’s rugby star Romain Ntamack has openly criticized what he perceives as an injustice in the disciplinary process following the Six Nations tournament. The French fly-half was suspended for two matches after a red card in the opening game against Wales, a stark contrast to Ireland’s Garry Ringrose, who only missed one Test match despite a similar infraction.

Ntamack voiced his frustrations in a pre-match press conference before France’s game against Scotland:

"There is an injustice here... It is totally incomprehensible that decisions are made against us, costing us dearly."

He highlighted that Ringrose was allowed to count a Leinster fixture—a game he was unlikely to play in—as part of his suspension, while Ntamack couldn’t include a Toulouse match in his ban. This inconsistency has sparked debates about fairness in rugby disciplinary decisions.

In the same press conference, Ntamack shared his concerns about the safety and clarity surrounding ruck clearouts, following Antoine Dupont’s serious knee injury in the Ireland match. He called for rugby authorities to address these issues:

"It’s imperative that we all sit around a table and clarify it a little."

Meanwhile, France’s coach Fabien Galthie echoed the sentiments of frustration within the team, especially regarding the lack of intervention from the television match official during the incident involving Dupont.

With France set to face Scotland in the final match of the Six Nations, the team remains focused on clinching the championship. Their superior points difference ensures that even without a bonus point, a victory will secure the title—a testament to their stellar performance throughout the tournament.

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