France flyhalf crisis worsens ahead of Bok battle

France head coach Fabien Galthie faces a flyhalf crisis ahead of their clash against South Africa after Romain Ntamack suffered a tournament-ending shoulder injury during France's 54-17 Nations Championship win over Fiji. Ntamack was forced off just over half an hour into his Test return in Lyon. With Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy, and versatile fullback Thomas Ramos also sidelined by injuries, France is currently without their top four flyhalf options.

Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu stepped into the playmaker role after Ntamack's injury and expressed willingness to continue covering the position against the Springboks. Galthie confirmed that uncapped Pau flyhalf Axel Desperes is training with the squad as France explores solutions for next Friday's match in Paris. Despite the injury concerns, the bonus-point victory over Fiji kept France atop the northern hemisphere standings ahead of Ireland.