Teenager Ntamack shows flair to inspire France

PARIS, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Romain Ntamack usually plays at centre, but the Toulouse teenager put on the most impressive display of his career at flyhalf as he inspired France to a 27-10 victory over Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The 19-year-old son of former France international Emile Ntamack delighted the packed Stade de France with clever chips as he showed the vision to lead the team after his inclusion at flyhalf had raised a few eyebrows.

"It was a very satisfying performance," coach Jacques Brunel said of Ntamack, who had only started three club games at flyhalf this season.

"It was not easy because Scotland made it complicated with a tough defence but he was helped by the work of our forwards."

In most teams, the pair would have earned their places for the next game against Ireland but they were forming Brunel's seventh halfback pairing.

Brunel omitted Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez after both criticised the team's management following their humbling 44-8 defeat in England.

Ntamack scored France's first try after a brilliant move started by 23-year-old fullback Thomas Ramos.

He then chipped a magical kick to set up Gael Fickou for another try, which was disallowed for an earlier knock on.

"I knew he and the youngsters were up to the task," said Brunel. "Romain was good at playmaking."

Ntamack played alongside scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, his 22-year-old Toulouse team mate, and the pair produced a promising performance in the absence of the more experienced Parra and Lopez.

Ntamack was the most impressive against Scotland, making 21 tackles and missing only one in a solid defensive display to compliment his attacking flair. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ed Osmond)