PARIS (AP) — Stade Toulousain and France flyhalf Romain Ntamack is expected to miss the start of the Six Nations, French media reported on Sunday.
According to rugby magazine Midi Olympique, Ntamack is suffering from a kidney injury that will keep him sidelined for the first two weeks of the competition.
France starts the tournament against Ireland on Feb. 5 then travels to Wales on Feb. 15. L'Equipe newspaper also reported Sunday that Ntamack will miss France's first two matches in the competition.
A stalwart of the France team, Ntamack picked up a back injury at the end of December during a Top 14 match against La Rochelle. Ntamack has 43 caps with France since making his debut in 2019.
No date for his return has been announced and the French rugby federation has not commented on his injury.
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FILE - France's Romain Ntamack gestures to the crowd after the rugby union Nations Series match between France and Australia in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, file)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has invited Paul Scholes to his house to speak face-to-face after being mocked by the club great before his excellent performance in the derby win over Manchester City.
Speaking on a podcast ahead of the derby on Saturday, Scholes and fellow former United player Nicky Butt took shots at Martinez for how they perceived he would be overpowered by City striker Erling Haaland.
Butt said Haaland would “pick Martinez up and run with him” and act like a “dad after school running down the road with a little toddler.” Scholes said the Norway international would “throw him (Martinez) in the net” after scoring.
As it transpired, United beat City 2-0 and restricted its fierce rival to just one shot on target.
When Scholes’ comment was put to Martinez after the match, the Argentina defender said: “No, honestly, he can say whatever he wants. I told him already if he wants to say something to me, he can come to wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.
“And I think, for me, I respect the relations when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television, but when you see (them) here face-to-face, no one says anything in your face."
Asked if the pre-match comments give him extra motivation, Martinez said: “No, no, nothing. It doesn’t give me anything. My motivation is my family. That’s it.”
On Sunday, Scholes responded to Martinez's comments by posting on Instagram Stories: “Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you. Tea, no sugar please ... @lisandromartinezzz.”
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Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, left, heads the ball ahead of Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
