France’s Antoine Dupont. Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP
JUST IN: France star Dupont CLEARED to face Springboks
France superstar Antoine Dupont is set to be available to face the Springboks in the World Cup quarter-final this Sunday.
France’s Antoine Dupont. Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Over the last couple of weeks, France have been exploring all options to fast track Antoine Dupont’s return from injury for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Les Bleus’ captain, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in world rugby, sustained a facial fracture in the comprehensive 96-0 victory over Namibia in their third World Cup fixture.
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Namibia captain Johan Deysel made a head-on-head tackle with the scrumhalf, which put him in doubt for the remainder of the tournament.
However, both Dupont and the team have explored every avenue to get him back in time for the quarter-finals, with Midi Olympique even reporting that he will meet a specialist to possibly mould a protective face mask that adheres to World Rugby’s regulations.
It’s now been confirmed by France Rugby that “following his medical visit today with the surgeon who operated on him, Antoine Dupont obtained authorization to resume rugby training today.”
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Good news for Dupont
Springboks happy to face the superstar
France are also without their first-choice hooker Julien Marchand, who suffered a thigh injury in the 27-13 opening game victory against New Zealand on 8 September, but Bok assistant coach Daan Human said they hoped Dupont would be available.
“He’s a wonderful player and they have the most dominant pack in World Rugby. They’re unbelievably good,” Human said.
“Having a world-class number nine behind them is good and also, having all the best players available at the World Cup is also very good.
“Hopefully, he’ll be on the field for them so that the world can see one of the best players in the world.”
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