Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP)
A try, a faultless goal against the posts, a game with a millimeter foot and even a defensive rescue: Romain Ntamack played in Wales (27-23) on Saturday a decisive recital in the quest for the first French Grand Slam in ten years .
He intends to "settle" at the N.10 post in Blue and gives himself all the means. Elegant, head held high and determined look, Ntamack offered at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where France had not won since 2010, a gold performance, on all fronts.
Omnipresent until the 75th minute, when he leaves breathless, crushed by a Welshman, it is from the bench that he hears the voice of the announcer announcing to the 80,000 spectators that he is the man of the match .
Under the closed roof of the pressure cooker in the heart of the Welsh capital, we promised hell to the French. In this windless enclosure, where the Marseillaise and the "Allez les Bleus" were not uncommon, it was rather paradise for Ntamack, author of a 100% shooting (5 out of 5).
- Light candle -
It is with a candle that the Toulousain begins the festivities. A high kick well typed, at the end of which Teddy Thomas disturbs the Welsh to allow Anthony Bouthier, on the lookout, to spin the test between the posts.
The easy transformation successful (7th, 7-3), Ntamack continues with his first penalty, far from being obvious this time on the straight line (19th, 10-3).
In the game, Ntamack continues to distribute to the foot. After a breakthrough by Bouthier and Virimi Vakatawa, the young opener changes the game to the left to find Gaël Fickou, who flattens. If the test is refused for a forward, the action once again highlights the precision of N. 10.
Not involved in the Willemse force test, in the closed side after a touch, Ntamack transforms again, giving eleven points ahead (33rd, 17-6).
There followed a painful period for the French, who chained the penalties and were logically punished (yellow card by Grégory Alldritt, 40th + 1). They nevertheless resisted before the break (17-9), but cracked at the recovery, facing the pillar Dillon Lewis. At the 48th, the Welsh are at a point (16-17) and the curse of the Millennium is not far.
While the Welsh insist, repeat the passes, play off the left side, Ntamack shines this time by his reading of the game: halfway, he intercepts a pass and starts sprinting towards Welsh in-goal. A top speed reminiscent of his test against Italy, when the lightning Ntamack also struck (35-22).
- "A delight" -
"It's 50-50, either there is a try for us, or a try for them. I try it, there is a bit of luck but it's very good because we were on a weak time, it put the head back out of the water and it sinks them, "says N.10, for whom it was" a treat to play "on Saturday.
Author of 17 points on Saturday, the opener takes command of the classification of the best markers of the Tournament with 39 points, ahead of his opposite Welsh Dan Biggar (33 points).
"He played well, very very well," said Welsh coach Wayne Pivac after the match.
It must be said that the scorer turned into a savior in the 65th minute, covering well in the last man position to prevent Tomos Williams from scoring.
Out in touch on this action, he keeps the ball in his hands. A zest of mischief that earned him a little hang with Williams. Ntamack gets angry for a moment, grabs his opponent by the collar, but ends up replacing himself with the smile of victory on his lips.
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