Romain Ntamack ruled out of Scotland test

French flyhalf Romain Ntamack has been ruled out of France's Autumn Nations Cup test against Scotland this weekend, the national team has confirmed. 

The French national team confirmed the news via a short statement on Saturday which simply stated that the flyhalf was 'injured' and that Toulon flyhalf Louis Carbonel had been called in to replace him. There was no clarification in the release on the extent of Ntamack's injury.

Ntamack has started all of France's tests under new head coach Fabien Galthie and has already accumulated 18 test caps at the age of 21. His replacement, Carbonel, starred alongside Ntamack at u20 level with France and is yet to make his test debut for the senior team. 

Ntamack's absences is another blow to the French team who will already be without fullback Anthony Bouthier for the clash in Edinburgh with the Montpellier fullback ruled out for the remainder of the Autumn Nations Cup. 

Flyhalf Mathieu Jalibert is set to take over as the starting flyhalf for France in the absences of Ntamack with Corbonel taking a spot on the bench. Jalibert covered Ntamack on the bench for France during the early stages of the Six Nations before the competition was brought to a halt but missed the test against Wales and the final Six Nations test against Ireland as he contracted the coronavirus. 

Alternatively, France could back Jalibert to play an entire test with Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos more than capable at flyhalf allowing for an extra forward or outside back on the bench.