France’s scrum-half Antoine Dupont, using a head guard, attends a training session at the Stade du Parc in Rueil-Malmaison, near Paris, on October 11, 2023, during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup. – Influential scrum-half Dupont, 2021’s World Rugby player of the year, was given the green light by his surgeon to return to full training after having an operation on a broken cheekbone. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
Antoine Dupont set to face the Springboks after coming through training
France captain Antoine Dupont has returned training following surgery on a fractured cheekbone doing so in protective headgear.
France’s scrum-half Antoine Dupont, using a head guard, attends a training session at the Stade du Parc in Rueil-Malmaison, near Paris, on October 11, 2023, during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup. – Influential scrum-half Dupont, 2021’s World Rugby player of the year, was given the green light by his surgeon to return to full training after having an operation on a broken cheekbone. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
France captain Antoine Dupont has returned training following surgery on a fractured cheekbone.
Dupont was spotted joining in on a full session with France sporting protective headgear.
The talismanic scrumhalf will be in contention to face the Springboks in the last eight.
The Springboks face France from 21:00 on Sunday 15 October 2023.
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France Rugby confirmed Monday: “Following his medical visit today with the surgeon who operated on him, Antoine Dupont obtained authorisation to resume rugby training.”
France relishing prospect of blockbuster clash with Springboks
The last meeting between the two sides was a contentious narrow defeat for the Springboks in Paris.
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France are set to make a late call on Antoine Dupont’s involvement in the quarter-final after he underwent surgery for a broken cheekbone.
Galthie described the prospect of facing the Springboks in the last eight as ‘another World Cup final’ following their massively significant victory over the All Blacks in the opening match.
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“Having played one World Cup Final against New Zealand in the opening match, now we have another one,” the coach said.
“I’m delighted to have stamped this qualification but our next appointment is on Sunday [October 15] and is another World Cup Final.”
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Hosts want to end World Cup wait
Galthie says that France are relishing facing the defending world champions as they seek to establish themselves as deserving of Rugby World Cup glory.
“On one side [of the draw], the reigning world champions and on the other side, the world number one team,” said Galthie.
“The draw did its job, now it’s up to us to do ours.”
Galthie declared France’s setpiece work against Italy to be a success but the Springbok pack would have seen enough to know that they can get one over on the hosts up front.
“The breakdown was successful, likewise the scrum, line-out, attack and defence. These were areas that were very positive,” said Galthie.
“We put Italy under permanent pressure in that respect.”
