CONVERSATION. Stade Toulousein: “I had a lump in my stomach…” admits Romain Ntamack after his return to competition

Romain, we imagine you are happy tonight…

It feels good, a very good feeling. I couldn’t wait to get back on the track, to get back on the field, to play with my friends again.

You started the match well, you managed to cross the Pau line on one of your first balls… Did you expect to be this good physically?

Not particularly (smile), I just got a little short of breath during the warm-up. I tried to play as well as I could the first few balls I had and I got back a bit of the feeling I had before I got injured. I am happy, I could resume duels and make contacts. Those good feelings come back and the worries go away pretty quickly.

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Especially since you are entering a context that is far from obvious…

Yeah, I didn’t have too many questions to ask, I’d rather have a more favorable context come back (smile). They really hurt us and even came close to winning. But for me it put me right in the deep end, I had no time to linger. I have to get used to handling complicated, close matches where you have to fight until the end…

How did you experience coming to the Stadium and being greeted by the fans?

I was looking forward, I was really looking forward to rediscovering these sensations, the atmosphere of the bus, the convention, the supporters, etc. It was a really special moment, I had a little feeling in my stomach when I got off the bus (smile), so I couldn’t wait to get back on the field to get rid of all those feelings. But it feels good to have such a warm welcome.

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Stade Toulousain-Pau: Toulouse felt the wind blowing… “rouge et noir” were close to first defeat at home

Do you hear cheers from the fans when you enter the pitch?

Yes, I tried to enjoy it all, even though I was still focused on the match. I kept hearing the cheering, the noise around… I took it all in because those were the moments I was waiting for, that’s what I was working on too. I couldn’t wait to see the public again because it had been a long time since I played Ernest-Wallon.

How did you spend the week before your return?

I tried to stay calm and quiet. I didn’t want to make plans on the comet. I tried not to think about the game, not to think about the bus coming, etc. I tried to stay focused and not let my emotions get the better of me because I wanted to have a good start to the school year.

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Stade Toulouse-Pau: “I tried to dominate…” Romain Ntamack talks about his emotions for the return to the Top 14 field

With the first playoff game of the season a week away, we can assume that your return today is not set up by chance. Do you mean the match against Racing?

We never set a date at the beginning, either with the staff, the surgeon or the medical staff. We just targeted the late March to early April range. He went down in the closing stages of the European Cup, but my goal was really to get playing time back against Pau. And if I have to report to Racing, I am available, but my intention was not to come back against Pau and start next week. I am confident that the staff will make the right decisions and put the best available players on the field. We have such a big squad and good players in all positions that I will try to add something more. But a lot of players have had very good games recently, especially in the European Cup, so if I’m in the squad, all the better, but if I’m not there, I’ll go with my friends.

Was this recovery period long?

It depends. Let’s just say the World Cup season was quite a long one to survive. After that I went through a fairly simple rehabilitation. I had no problems or complications. The knee responded very well every time we worked on it, every time we went through the stages. It never swelled up so I was able to work very well and recover well. I really enjoyed the rehab. It allowed me to do something else, think about something else, care about something other than rugby. I had all the weekends free, so it allowed me to rest, see family and friends, move here and there… So I really enjoyed working with him and all the people who accompanied me.

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Stade Toulouse-Pau: Romain Ntamack, a timely return… How the French international behaved

What are your ambitions for this end of the season?

I have big ambitions, but I’m coming back after a long injury and a long absence. The players have done the job so far, so I won’t go back straight away wanting to get the starting jersey back. If I have to accompany my friends to matches and be a substitute, I will. I still have a lot of things to look for and redo. I have big ambitions, but I know the club will come first.

Dorian Aldegheri and Lucas Tauzin kindly reprimanded you before the game, explaining that you “got fat”. Have you really spent a lot of time in the gym during this period?

(Smile) Yes, I spent a little time there in the beginning. When I came back (with group) I was a bit heavy in December. Lucas accommodates me because it’s the first time I was heavier than him, he had a little indigestion (laughter). And when I was heavy, it was because I hadn’t started running again. But once I started running again, I lost the extra pounds, but it’s true that I gained a little weight. They were a bit surprised to see me arrive in December (smile).