Romain Ntamack in action for France U20s. Pic: Getty Images.

Wales Set To Face Ntamack Mk II

Romain Ntamack – son of legendary French wing Emile Ntamack – could make his debut against Wales in the Six Nations opener.

The 19-year-old outside-half is one of five uncapped players named by France coach Jacques Brunel for the match in Paris on February 1.

Ntamack’s selection is reward for his impressive form in a resurgent Toulouse team in recent weeks and he could well go head-to-head against likely Wales No.10 Gareth Anscombe.

Ntamack senior also made his France debut against Wales, back in 1994 – the year Scott Quinnell and Nigel Walker scored memorable tries in a 24-15 Wales victory.

Now 48, the flamboyant and flowing Ntamack senior went on to scrore six tries in seven Tests against Wales before the last of his 46 caps in 2000.

South Africa-born Paul Willemse is another of the uncapped players named by Brunel for the two opening matches of the 2019 tournament.

Ex-Bulls lock Willemse, 26, qualifies for his adoptive country on residency grounds having spent more than three years with Top 14 clubs Montpellier and Grenoble.

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The Pretoria native received his citizenship in November after French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte said in December 2016 possession of a French passport was a requirement for inclusion in the national team.

Fijian-born winger Alivereti Raka, who also received his French nationality in November, has impressed for more than four years at Clermont but is not included due to a hand injury.

Toulouse duo Thomas Ramos and Dorian Aldegheri and La Rochelle’s Gregory Alldritt are the other new faces.

Clermont’s experienced pair of Morgan Parra and Wesley Fofana return to the squad after missing the November Tests series through injuries.

Winger Teddy Thomas, second-row Yoann Maestri and back-rower Mathieu Babillot are also not included due to injuries.

Brunel’s side, which suffered defeats by the Springboks and for the first time Fiji but beat Argentina in November, kick off their campaign at home against Wales and then take on England at Twickenham on February 10.

France Six Nations squad

Forwards (17): Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Demba Bamba, Pierre Bourgarit, Yacouba Camara, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Arthur Iturria, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux, Julien Marchand, Louis Picamoles, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Willemse

Backs (14): Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Yoann Huget, Camille Lopez, Maxime Medard, Romain Ntamack, Morgan Parra, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Baptiste Serin

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