Rugby World cup 2023/ Antoine Dupont’s Comeback: France’s Captain clears Hurdle for the Quarter-Final Clash
France’s rugby team received a significant courage as their captain, Antoine Dupont, was cleared to resume training after recovering from a broken cheekbone, which required surgery. This news increased his chances of playing in France’s upcoming World Cup quarter-final match against defending champions South Africa. The final decision regarding his participation would be made by Dupont himself.
Maxime Lucu had filled in for Dupont in France’s last game against Italy and performed admirably alongside flyhalf Mathieu Jalibert.
In that match, France dominated Italy with a score of 60-7.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced that Dupont had received clearance from his surgeon, Frederic Lauwers in Toulouse, to return to training.
However, the coaching staff emphasized that his readiness for contact and his comfort on the field would be essential factors in determining whether he would start the game.
France had an impressive run in the World Cup, winning all their group matches, including a significant victory over three-time champions New Zealand in the tournament’s opening match.
Dupont was rested for one game but returned to face Namibia, a match that France won convincingly with a score of 96-0.
Unfortunately, in the 45th minute of that game, Antoine Dupont suffered an injury due to a head-on collision with Namibia’s captain, Johan Deysel, which led to his surgery.
France had to deal with several injuries throughout the tournament, including the absence of lock Paul Willemse and flyhalf Romain Ntamack before the competition even began.
Hooker Julien Marchand was also sidelined due to a thigh injury sustained during the match against the All Blacks.
These injuries have posed challenges for the French team as they progress in the World Cup.
Let’s recall that this Quarter-final clash will take place on October 15th,2023 at Stade de France
Source: Breakingnews
