# France Defeats Fiji in Nations Championship but Loses Romain Ntamack The French rugby team secures a dominant victory while facing a major injury setback. - **Source:** [Le Monde – À la une](https://www.lemonde.fr) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fc4f6153-708b-4ecf-8a0c-1dc0e48a3d9e ## Dominant Performance at Lyon The French national rugby team, known as the XV de France, secured a commanding 54-17 victory against Fiji. The match took place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu. Despite the high score and eight total tries, the atmosphere remained somber due to a significant injury sustained during play. ## Ntamack Suffers Serious Injury Fly-half Romain Ntamack was forced to leave the pitch during the 33rd minute. The injury occurred immediately after he facilitated the third try by Sipili Falatea with a powerful breakthrough. Ntamack was seen clutching his left shoulder in visible pain, marking another major physical setback in his professional career for the national team. ## Confirmed Absence from Competition Head coach Fabien Galthié confirmed after the match that Ntamack will not participate in the remainder of the Nations Championship. Initial medical examinations revealed a serious shoulder injury that requires immediate attention. This development forces the coaching staff to reorganize their tactical approach for the upcoming matches in the tournament schedule. ## Depth Issues for France The loss of Ntamack exacerbates existing personnel challenges for the French squad. Galthié noted that the team is currently missing its top four options for the fly-half position. While Maxime Lecu provided necessary support during the Fiji match, the coaching staff must now find sustainable solutions to manage these recurring roster absences. ## History of Physical Setbacks Romain Ntamack has faced several significant health challenges throughout his career. Most notably, he was forced to miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a serious knee injury. This latest shoulder issue adds to a difficult history of physical obstacles that have repeatedly interrupted his contributions to the French national side. ## Tactical Rebuilding Required With the Nations Championship ongoing, the French team faces a critical period of adaptation. The reliance on depth players like Maxime Lecu highlights the fragility of the current squad composition. Galthié must now balance the need for continued offensive production with the reality of a depleted roster at key playmaking positions. ## Context of the Tournament The Nations Championship serves as a high-stakes environment for international rugby teams to test their depth and tactical discipline. France's ability to score eight tries against Fiji demonstrates their offensive potential, yet the injury to a core player like Ntamack serves as a reminder of the physical toll inherent in the sport. ## Future Outlook for Les Bleus Moving forward, the focus for the French team shifts to managing their remaining fixtures without their primary playmaker. The coaching staff will likely prioritize defensive stability and alternative offensive strategies to compensate for the missing talent. Success in the tournament now depends on the collective resilience of the remaining squad members. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2026/11/07/une-victoire-au-prix-fort-pour-le-xv-de-france-contre-les-fidji_6808318_3242.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._