France fly-half Romain Ntamack set to miss Rugby World Cup due to injury in Scotland match

The Rugby World Cup looks set to lose one of its star attractions with the news that Romain Ntamack is going to be ruled out of the tournament.

France's fly-half Romain Ntamack has suffered a knee injury, and will almost certainly not play in the forthcoming World Cup. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

The France stand-off suffered a serious knee injury during the second half of his side’s narrow win over Scotland in Saint-Etienne on Friday night. According to L’Equipe, Ntamack went for scans on Sunday, and the results revealed a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Ntamack, 24, has formed a formidable half-back partnership for club and country with France captain Antoine Dupont but it now looks certain that the Toulouse fly-half will play no part in the World Cup which kicks off in France next month. Matthieu Jalibert, the Bordeaux No 10, is likely to step up as Ntamack’s replacement. Antoine Hastoy, the La Rochelle stand-off, is also in the French World Cup training squad.

The hosts will open the tournament against the All Blacks at the Stade de France on September 8.