Champions Cup – Thomas Ramos (Toulouse): “I know I’ve never put a fork”
CHAMPIONS CUP – For the first time since the start of his suspension, which will end on Sunday evening, Stade Toulousain international fullback Thomas Ramos speaks in Midi Olympique to discuss the alleged fork on the scrum half of Sale Gus Warr, of which he was found guilty but which he denies being admitted. He regrets that his opponent’s testimony has never been called into question.
Suspended five weeks after victory against Sale on December 18, the back of Stade Toulouse Thomas Ramos will see his sanction end on Sunday evening. If he will therefore not be able to play against Munster for the fourth day of the Champions Cup, the interested party will go on stage with the XV of France, from Monday in Capbretonto prepare for the 6 Nations Tournament. “I miss the competition”explains the international in the columns of Midi-Olympic. An interview in which he speaks for the first time since his red card against the Sharks, and the citation for willful contact with the eye area of opposing scrum-half Gus Warr, of which he was convicted but which he nie developed.
“There is a lack of sincerity on his part which is enormous”
Thomas Ramos gives his version of the facts and clearly challenges Warr’s testimony: “It hurts to learn the next day, thirty minutes from the quote deadline, that I quote am for a fork. […] I discovered the story of the scrum-half…” And what does he say? “That I put three fingers in his eye for five seconds! Already, no image shows it. I know for a fact that I’ve never done that. Can you imagine three fingers in his eye for five seconds? You don’t can’t play again in the next minute and you have red eye for at least a week. […] There is a lack of sincerity on his part which is enormous. It’s hard to accept.” And to insist: “When you are accused, you have to defend yourself. But the word of the guy who accused me has never been questioned when no image shows it. That’s what bothers me the most. […] I know I never put a fork on this player.”
Thomas Ramos was also asked about the November tour with the XV of France, when he was propelled holder in the absence of Melvyn Jaminet, and he was credited with three very good performances. “I had a chance to take and I think I did”, he admits. And to recognize that this fall episode marks a turning point in his career with the national team: “Before the fall, I had seventeen caps but I didn’t consider myself a true international… I had never chained three matches. This tour allowed me to stop asking myself a thousand questions.”