Knee injury rules France's Ntamack out of World Cup

"I'll be back," Ntamack posted on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

The loss of the flamboyant pivot would be a major blow to 'Les Bleus', with the hosts kicking off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand at the Stade de France on September 8.

"Romain Ntamack, we will miss your flair, but there's no doubt you'll be close by and that this dream belongs to you as well," French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera also posted on the X platform.

Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy are in line to replace Ntamack.