Romain Ntamack's Serious Shoulder Injury Sidelines French Rugby Star Amid Victorious Match

French rugby star Romain Ntamack suffered a serious shoulder dislocation during the Nations Championship match against Fiji on November 7, 2026, a setback that could keep him out of play until 2026. The 27-year-old fly-half, who plays for Stade Toulousain and the French national team, was visibly in pain as he fell to the ground, an incident witnessed by his club and national teammate Kalvin Gourgues. Gourgues recounted the moment, saying Ntamack "felt his shoulder come out and grimaced," expressing his sadness over the unfortunate injury of the resilient player.

Despite France's dominant 54-17 victory over Fiji, the injury to Ntamack draws significant concern. French national coach Fabien Galthié shared his thoughts, emphasizing that his first consideration was for Ntamack and his family amid this difficult time. The injury adds to a troubling series of setbacks for Ntamack, who had already faced an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and other injuries since summer 2023, affecting his form and availability.

Medical expectations indicate Ntamack will be sidelined for at least two months, with speculation suggesting he might not return to competitive rugby until the 2026 season. While the diagnosis is reportedly not as severe as initially feared, the cumulative impact of these injuries represents a major blow to both Stade Toulousain and the French national team as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.

This development comes in a weekend packed with notable sports achievements in France, including Tom Laperche's record-setting victory in the Route du Rhum and Carlos Alcaraz's Masters 1000 tennis title win in Paris. Nevertheless, Ntamack's injury remains a dominant storyline for French rugby, highlighting concerns about the fitness of a key player in a crucial phase for the national squad.